Pre-K program moves from Sacred Heart to DHS this fall

The Southern Illinois University and Tri-County pre-kindergarten programs that have been housed at Sacred Heart School in downtown Du Quoin for the past few years are being moved to the lower floor of the northeast wing of the new Du Quoin High School this fall.

The move involves an SIU-sponsored classroom, a Tri-County classroom and a blended classroom of children Pre-K through Grade 3. There will be morning and afternoon sections of each class.

District 300 Supt. Dr. Kelly explained the benefits: 1.) the district will pick up about $30,000 in revenue from the two sponsors SIU and Tri-County 2.) children will be in a new building 3.) a green space just outside the doors will be turned into a fenced-in playground which will be paid for by the sponsors 4.) children will eat in the cafeteria, and 5.) it will be a child learning lab for Du Quoin High School students enrolled in the early childhood development classes.

For Sacred Heart, having the classes there allowed an otherwise vacant building to be utilized. Dr. Kelly believes Sacred Heart was probably subsidized by about $10,000 to cover rent and utilities at the Catholic school building. "We appreciate what Sacred Heart has done," said Dr. Kelly.

He said the teaching and support staff provided by SIU and Tri-County should stay about the same.

All told, it is part of the district's initiative to cut expenses on one side of the Dist. 300 budget and raise revenues on the other side.