Gov Visit

Governor JB Pritzker visited Unit 4 Schools to highlight the state's investments in early childhood education, a new teacher vacancy grant pilot program, and evidence-based funding. Unit 4 Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer welcomed the Governor, Lt.  Governor Juliana Stratton, State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders, Champaign Early Childhood Center (CECC) Principal Cheryl Dearing, CECC Parent April Carter, and state and local officials to International Prep Academy.

Dr. Boozer highlighted the importance and needed for more early childhood education opportunities in our District. She stressed the need for more teachers and outlined how the Governor’s proposed grant to help address teacher vacancies would allot $740,000 to Champaign Unit 4 Schools.

“Greater access to early childhood services is a two-way street: more opportunities for children, but also greater investments for providers to hire, train, and keep quality staff,” said Governor Pritzker. “Smart Start will pair higher wages with the Early Childhood ACE Scholarship program, allowing us to expand the pipeline of early childhood educators in Illinois. By supporting and stabilizing this workforce, staff will have more resources and more time to focus on what this job is all about: our children.”

The FY24 budget includes the Smart Start Illinois plan, which invests $250 million to eliminate preschool deserts, stabilize the childcare workforce, expand early intervention and home visiting programs, and includes funding to begin the overhaul of the childcare payment management system