Wes-Del starts prekindergarten without state funds

Wes-Del Community Schools is launching a small preschool starting Aug. 8. The program will be held in Gaston's former Star Financial Bank building, which was gifted to the district this year.

Superintendent Michael Bush said they threw around a few ideas on what to do with the space, but decided the community would benefit most from a preschool.

"We saw a need and we are trying to address that need," he said.

Wes-Del participated in a kindergarten readiness survey, gathered by Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative. The survey found about half of the students in Delaware County aren't ready for kindergarten.

Wes-Del Elementary principal Tracy Shafter, who will also oversee the preschool, said the district wasn't quite at 50 percent but had a "significant number" of students who teachers felt were not prepared.