With politicians in Lansing proposing cuts in preschool education, many schools in the Mackinac County area have eliminated their preschool programs. Even if state funding comes through for preschool this fall, it will be too late to put the local programs into place, some school administrators say.

St. Ignace Area Schools Superintendent Mike Springsteen said his district has been forced to drop the program because of the funding uncertainty.

A preschool cooperative, however, is available at St. Ignace schools, although space is limited to 16, and 12 children already are enrolled.

The preschool is funded through fundraisers and tuition, teacher Donna Bassett said. Tuition for a four year-old child is $110 a month, with classes on Monday through Thursday.

Tuition for three-year-old children is $80 a month and they go to school Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Classes begin at 8 a.m. and end at 10:45 a.m. and the school starts Monday, September 14.

Subjects such as arithmetic, science, social skills, and decision making are taught at the co-op through play, Mrs. Basset said, and instruction includes field trips. Bussing is provided in the St. Ignace area, said Jaime Smith, president of the cooperative. She can be contacted at (906) 984- 2004 for registration.

Les Cheneaux Community Schools in Cedarville houses the Les Cheneaux Preschool Co-Op program during the school year, co-op board vice president Amy Kohlmann said. The program caters to children ages three and four who meet throughout the week at the elementary school.

Three-year-olds meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays along with the four-year-olds from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., she said. The children meet together in the beginning, but are taught different things by different teachers later in the day. Teacher Sue Rye covers the four-year-olds and instructs them in subjects such as the alphabet and months, while Jenny Ryan teaches the threeyear olds through themed days such as "Red Day" and "Bug Day."

The four-year-olds meet an additional day on Wednesday from 8:15 a.m. to noon, Mrs. Kohlmann said. Wednesday is used to prepare the children for kindergarten with additional lessons.

The Les Cheneaux Preschool Co-Op program will begin Tuesday, September 15. A maximum of 20 children can be enrolled, with 14 already registered. The two day three-year-old program costs $60 a month, Mrs. Kohlmann said, while the three day program for the four-year-old children is $80 a month. Contact Mrs. Kohlman at 484-2899 to register.

Mackinaw City will continue its Great Start preschool program for four-year-olds. Superintendent Jeff Curth said the district was funded for only two or three children last year, but has served up to eight children by subsidizing it.

The program is full for this year, with eight children enrolled and many others on a waiting list, Mr. Curth said.

At Engadine, Superintendent Angie McArthur said a preschool program will serve the Engadine area through Consolidated Community School Services (CCSS). The preschool program for four-year-olds is being constructed under the assumption that state funding will not be received, Mrs. McArthur said, and will be tuition based.

"We just want to make sure to have a program planned," she said.

Tuition will cost roughly $75 to $100, said William Sutter, who directs CCSS. Children three years old will attend preschool three days while four-year-old children will attend four days. Classes will start the beginning of October and run from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bussing will be available to take children to preschool, but parents will be responsible for pick-up. The class will be limited to 21 children and registration can be arranged through the teacher, Diane Miller, at 477-6505.

CCSS will also serve Pickford and will conduct a "Wee Wisdom" preschool program for children age three and four, Superintendent Keith Krahnke said. Three-year-old children will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. from Tuesday to Thursday for $75 a month. Four-year-old children will meet from 11:45 to 2:45 from Monday to Thursday for $100 a month.

Rudyard has suspended its Great Start Readiness preschool program until state funding is determined, Superintendent Nathan Bootz said. The program will be restarted if even partial funding is received.

Sault Ste. Marie public schools does not offer a preschool program, superintendent Daniel Reattoir said. The Community Action Head Start preschool program is offered at the school, but is geared toward low-income and at-risk children. If space if available, the program can accept children who are not at risk. The Sault Tribe Bahweting School also does not offer a preschool program, but participates with Head Start.

Other preschool options are available to parents in Sault Ste. Marie. The Sault Co-Op Preschool, Central Child Care Center and Lake Superior State University offer services to interested parents, Mr. Reattoir said.

Mackinac Island and DeTour will continue their preschool programs through the Head Start program. The program follows the "High Scope" curriculum, where children learn by playing and are allowed to make their own decisions on what and how to play, Mackinac Island teacher Erika Arbib said. Subjects such as arithmetic, science, and English are also taught.

The Head Start program typically caters to low-income and atrisk children, but is extended to all preschool-age children in Mackinaw City and DeTour, Head Start Director Reenie Butler said. Population size and lack of access to other preschool programs are among the factors that have allowed those areas to use Head Start.

No tuition is charged for children in Head Start.