By JONA ISON
Gazette Staff Writer
FRANKFORT - Parents of preschool-aged children in the Frankfort area will have another local option for preschool.

Adena Local Schools recently learned of a grant from the Ohio Department of Education that will allow them to start a preschool program, said Superintendent Dave Warne. The board approved at its meeting Tuesday to lease a former pizza restaurant on Main Street in Frankfort that will cost $8,000 to $10,000 to bring up to code, Warne said.

"I think it's great for our community. It allows us an extra year or two with kids who are going to come into our kindergarten," Warne said.

The preschool teachers will collaborate with the kindergarten teachers to align curriculum to better prepare students for kindergarten, he added. The district also plans to partner with Frankfort's Head Start program, possibly by providing morning students a chance to go to Adena's class in the afternoon to reinforce concepts.

Right now, the district hopes to start two units that would each consist of 20 students, a teacher and aide. The preschool will first be offered free of charge for children in families who are at or below the poverty level guidelines. If room remains available, Warne said other children will be accepted into the program on a sliding scale fee in accordance to family income and size guidelines.

All costs, including remodeling of the building, will be paid for through the $398,000 two-year grant. The grant will fund the preschool program for the first two years, but after that the district will have to apply for more grant funding or find another funding source.

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