LOGAN SQUARE — Chicago Public Schools officials say they're reviewing all pre-kindergarten slots this month and are determining where there is room to adjust funding based on community demand at neighborhood schools.
The news came in response to concerns raised by parents of a number of schools in Logan Square and Humboldt Park where children were placed on wait lists despite open slots at the schools for pre-K.
RELATED: Toddlers Wait-Listed By CPS Despite Open Pre-K Slots At Schools
A reason that many parents remain on the waitlist is that the first priority is being given to children from low-income families, which is required by federal and state law, according to CPS.
"We are currently working to match families with pre-kindergarten programs based on their indicated preferences, and we are first placing children from low-income families, consistent with federal and state requirements," CPS spokesman Michael Passman said.
"While many applicants will come off of the wait list and be placed as soon as this week, CPS will continue working with all families who have been wait-listed to identify options that meet their child’s needs in time for the fall.”
Families with a total income of 185 percent of the federal poverty level or below are placed in programs first, according to CPS.
Parents at both Brentano Academy in Logan Square and Moos Elementary in Humboldt Park have been waiting for word on what to do regarding their places on the wait list for about two weeks.
Some parents told DNAinfo they thought the wait list process encouraged parents to look into private options or even consider moving to the suburbs due to the uncertainty of the situation.
In the case of some schools, including Brentano, programs automatically reserve space for returning students who are not yet eligible for kindergarten, according to CPS. Openings for new students depend on the number of students expected to be returning to a school for the second year of preschool.
The new placement process for pre-K is part of the city's new universal enrollment system.
The new system is intended to improve access to early childhood programming with a partnership between CPS and the Department of Family and Support Services for parents citywide.
Beginning Friday all families will be able to log on to chicagoearlylearning.org to apply for programs and receive immediate notice of program availability for the upcoming school year, according to CPS.
"While many applicants will come off of the wait list and be placed as soon as this week, CPS will continue working with all families who have been wait-listed to identify options that meet their child’s needs in time for the fall," Passman said.
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