MCCSC thanks community for investing in families’ futures
Thanks to public support for the Monroe County Community School Corporation’s (MCCSC) 2023 tax referendum, more than twice the number of MCCSC families now have access to 3-Year-Old Preschool and 4-Year-Old Pre-K programs through MCCSC or partner providers — the majority attending at no or low cost. As of fall 2025, 526 children gained access to either 3-Year-Old Preschool or 4-Year-Old Pre-K programs at MCCSC or partner providers, compared to 262 students before the referendum was passed.
MCCSC’s 2022-23 Referendum Impact Report, shared in May 2025, outlined the impact of referenda funding on students and schools across four taxpayer-approved areas, including early learning. The report outlined how the 2023 referendum expanded family access to the 4-Year-Old Pre-K program in the 2024-25 school year. In the 2025-26 school year, the referendum allowed MCCSC to expand family access to the 3-Year-Old Preschool program, and families are now benefiting.
“This school year we have already seen the benefits of expanding family access to preschool,” said MCCSC Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the 2023 referendum continues to benefit children, families, and our community. Early learning programs not only benefit children—we continue to hear from parents and guardians that they can increase their employment once their children start school. We are deeply grateful to our community for making this possible.”
Kelsey Roberts said that her son starting preschool brought financial stability to her household.
“It is a wonderful program, and I’m absolutely blessed to be able to not only help my child but to help my family also,” said Roberts. “I am the sole provider for my family, so it has helped me be able to work more. Before, I was only able to work a few days a week, and now I can work every day. It’s also easier because [before preschool], my husband would watch our son during the day and now he can go out and do odd jobs.”
The MCCSC 2023 Referendum has made it possible for 100% of families with children enrolled in 4-Year-Old Pre-K programs to attend for free or at half cost or less. In addition, approximately 75% of families whose children attend 3-Year-Old Preschool are attending for free.
Early learning programs prepare children for kindergarten both academically and socially. Children in MCCSC programs benefit from the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood curriculum that emphasizes learning through exploration and free play.
“My son loves it and we love it,” said Roberts. “He loves sharing and he’s a good class leader. It’s awesome for him to interact with children his age. His teacher, Ms. Ryan, has been absolutely wonderful with him. It’s never too early to start them on learning.”
“Thank you to our community for making this investment in local families and their children’s futures,” said Winston.
Enrollment is ongoing for MCCSC locations and partner providers for 3-Year-Old Preschool or 4-Year-Old Pre-K programs. Partner providers include Indiana University, Compass Early Learning Center, Penny Lane Child Care, New Hope Early Learning Center, Bloomington Developmental Learning Center, and the Bloomington Center for Global Children.
MCCSC’s 4-Year-Old Pre-K program is open to students who turned four years old by August 1, 2025. Through the 2023 Referendum, all MCCSC families, regardless of income, qualify for at least $4,000 in assistance toward the full $8,000 cost of the pre-K program through MCCSC or partner providers. Many families will qualify for more.
MCCSC’s 3-Year-Old Preschool program is open to students who turned three years old by August 1, 2025. MCCSC families whose incomes are 225% or less of the federal poverty level qualify for free tuition through MCCSC’s 2023 Referendum.
Families can learn details and enroll at earlylearning.mccsc.edu.
Learn more about the impact of MCCSC referenda on children and families at mccsc.edu/referenda.