The Rugby School District will launch a before-and-after-school Title One program as well as a kindergarten prep course for parents and children soon to enter that level.

At its June 9 meeting, the Rugby School Board went along with the pilot programs proposed to them and which will use federal stimulus funds to operate them.

The Title One before-and-after- school program will be available for those students identified as in need of additional math, reading and language instruction. The program will be offered an hour before and after the regular school day at Ely Elementary and will be taught by Title One teachers.

It will be conducted for at least the next two school terms with plans to continue the program in future years, if possible. Title One students at Little Flower School will also be eligible to take part. Parents, however, will have to arrange transportation for students.

A “Gear up for Kindergarten” 16-week program will engage parents and children in preparing for kindergarten enrollment. The program will be split between eight weeks in the fall and spring. Both parents and children will meet with instructors. If parents sign up, it will be mandatory to attend the sessions. School officials are working to enable the class to be available to all families with children approaching kindergarten age, and not just those who are Title One designated.

Jeff Lind, school superintendent, told board members the district received $150,000 in federal funds, tied to Title One education stimulus dollars, above and beyond the $508,000 the district already is receiving through a federal supplement grant.

The funds will go toward operational costs, including additional staffing and supplies. Board members discussed the possibility of continuing pre-school programs in future years and working with the local Head Start program to achieve a long-term program to enable more children the opportunity to take part in pre-school. Lind agreed that’s a goal to work toward.

The board approved the district’s application for the stimulus Title One funds.