Vista Early Childhood Project
Boise’s vision is To Be the Most Livable City in the Country. “Livability” is a subjective quality, but we know
from Boise’s own experience and that of communities across the country that certain fundamental elements
are crucial in determining any city’s ongoing success: a quality home in a safe neighborhood; reliable public
utilities; opportunities to work, learn, shop, and play; accessible and affordable transportation choices; an
environment that is clean, healthy, and sustainable; and the ability to contribute to the community in a positive
way.
Early Childhood Education and Livability
Many studies1 have demonstrated that high-quality preschool programs benefit children, their families, and
their communities. From improved emotional and academic outcomes to the economic savings to schools,
municipalities and states, the benefits of high-quality pre-k are numerous and compelling.
The economic development benefits resulting from early childhood investments have also been studied
extensively2 and touted by prominent policymakers, most notably by former Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben
Bernanke. In 2012, he remarked, “Economically speaking, early childhood programs are a good investment
with inflation-adjusted annual rates of return on the funds dedicated to these programs, estimated to reach 10
percent or higher. Very few alternative investments can promise that kind of return. Notably, a portion of these
economic returns accrues to the children themselves and their families, but studies show that the rest of
society enjoys the majority of the benefits, reflecting the many contributions that skills and productive workers
make to the economy."
Why the City of Boise?
Why should the City of Boise engage in an early childhood project? Our city leaders have consistently
demonstrated the willingness and foresight to invest in public amenities that increase Boise’s livability. We
have also led the charge in advancing ideas and issues that struggled to gain traction on a statewide level.
1 See Vivian C. Wong, Thomas D. Cook, W. Steven Barnett, and Kwanghee Jung (2008), "An Effectiveness-Based
Evaluation of Five State Pre-kindergarten Programs,"Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, vol. 27 (Winter), pp.
122-54. 2 See Arthur Rolnick and Rob Grunewald (2011), "The Economic Case for Targeted Preschool Programs," in Edward
Zigler, Walter S. Gilliam, and W. Steven Barnett, eds.,The Pre-K Debates: Current Controversies and Issues (Baltimore:
Brookes Publishing), pp. 22-26. Energize Our Neighborhoods | Vista Early Childhood Project Investing in an early childhood effort in Boise will not only significantly impact education and social outcomes in
the Vista neighborhood – it will provide visibility and data to spark action for the larger cause of early childhood
programming in Idaho.
Background on Target Neighborhood
The Vista Neighborhood straddles the “the gateway to Boise,” sitting between the Boise Airport and the Idaho
State Capitol Building. Vista Avenue, the major thoroughfare running through this historic area, carries many
business and vacation passengers traveling between the state’s capital and the airport. This neighborhood is
also characterized by its low housing values and its high rate of free and reduced lunch participation in two
primary elementary schools.
The City of Boise has chosen to start its Energize Our Neighborhoods initiative in the Vista Neighborhood.
The Energize Our Neighborhoods initiative is a partnership between the City of Boise and neighborhood
associations to enhance our neighborhoods by increasing economic activity, improving safety, providing
additional services and creating more vibrant and connected neighborhoods. Using data as the road map, the
project aims to make measurable change across multiple categories and develop a new model that can be
used throughout the city.
Energize Our Neighborhoods | Vista Early Childhood Project Neighborhood Indicators
Below is a Neighborhood Indicators Profile that highlights some key data from the Vista Neighborhood.
Energize Our Neighborhoods | Vista Early Childhood Project Children and Youth Subcommittee
As a part of the Energize Our Neighborhoods initiative a partnership structure has been developed to refine
project ideas that will “move the needle” on data indicators in the project focus areas. The Children and Youth
subcommittee is a key focus area for this project and members are actively working to advance ideas that will
impact these neighborhood indicators. This subcommittee is co-chaired by Roseanne Swain, Superintendent
of Recreation for the City of Boise and Stacey Roth, Administrator of Student Programs for the Boise School
District.
Below are the additional members of this subcommittee:
Nora Carpenter
United Way of Treasure Valley
Kendra Witt Doyle
Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation
Melanie Folwell
Whitney Elementary parent
Amy Pence-Brown
Hawthorne Elementary parent
Jean Mutchie
St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital
Corey Surber
St. Alphonsus Hospital
On November 14, 2014, the Children and Youth subcommittee unanimously recommended early childhood
investments in the neighborhood as a way to address Kindergarten readiness, impact 3rd grade reading scores
and improve long-term outcomes for children experiencing the program and the neighborhood at large. They
reviewed and approved the following project objectives and program scope.
Early Childhood Project Objectives
1.
Close or reduce achievement gaps for entering Kindergarteners from pilot programs (when compared
to like cohorts). This will be based on the Fall Kindergarten Idaho Reading Indicator results.
2.
Assess the longitudinal impact of pre-K by following pilot students through 3rd grade. This will be based
on the Spring 3rd Grade Idaho Reading Indicator results.
3.
Enhance the livability of city neighborhoods through education investments.
4.
Use results of the project to spark city, state and district discussions about early childhood investments.
Basic Program Outline*
1.
Children will be income-qualified for participation
2.
Morning and afternoon session - each 3 hours
3.
20 kids in each session (in each location) for a total of 60 kids served (2 classes at Hawthorne and 1 at
Whitney)
4.
Parent education and engagement will be component of the program
*More information available in the detailed Program proposal from Boise School District
Energize Our Neighborhoods | Vista Early Childhood Project Program Costs and Funding
Salaries and materials for 2 centers with 3 classes total
Item
Year One (includes Start‐Up)
Ongoing
Salaries and benefits for 1.5 certified teachers
$112,000
$112,000
Salaries and benefits for 1.5 classified assistants
$40,000
$40,000
Parent Engagement
$5,000
$5,000
Equipment
$43,100
$5,000
Supplies
$62,000
$20,000
TOTAL
$262,000
$182,000
The Mayor’s office proposes to issue a challenge to the community to secure funds for start-up costs and a
portion of the ongoing expenses.
Potential Implementation Timeline
Phase 1
(January 2015)
1.
Mayor and Council give approval to project scope with fundraising constraints
2.
Boise School District signs off on project scope
Phase 2
1.
(February-April 2015)
City of Boise and Boise School District, working with other community partners, host a series of
presentations to elicit private support for the effort.
Phase 3
(April-May 2015)
1.
Boise City Council approves final budget request
1.
Boise School District begins hiring staff
Phase 4
1.
Boise School District works with the Vista Children and Youth subcommittee on outreach to potential
pre-k families.
Phase 5
2.
(June-August 2015)
(August 2015)
Program implementation begins