(Estimated budget of $50,000 in 2027)

      Preschool directors lead the private preschool sector and they guide how the sector develops. Leadership in the private sector means being a small-business leader responsible for evaluating programs and teachers/assistants, managing community and parent relations, raising public and private funds for operations, budgeting and accounting, planning for the future, maintaining teacher morale, staying current on curricular innovations, and, in most cases, serving as a lead teacher for their pre-K classroom(s).

      In the past decade, the demands on preschool directors have grown significantly.
Solving school challenges requires staying abreast of emerging trends, effective teacher
programs, and complex public and private funding, while meeting DHS rules for teacher
professional development. Often, preschool directors feel isolated and tell us how much
they want to share a common table where other directors could meet, receive appropriate
leadership and professional development, and discuss problems and solutions with peers.

      The Castle Foundation invites proposals from nonprofit organizations to develop such a
program. Programming might include two to three meetings per year. HAIS is featuring
professional development and peer meetings through the “Schools of the Future
Conference.” In addition to the Castle Foundation’s annual funding for this HAIS
conference, perhaps two additional half days could be planned and executed in 2027.

      We are seeking a responsible, well-versed organization with experience and expertise in
addressing preschool directors’ needs and in planning and implementing a pilot program. If
the 2027 project is successful, the trustees may elect to make an additional grant for this
purpose in 2028 and 2029. We would require a final annual report and evaluation, as well
as a final accounting of the funds restricted for this pilot project.

Please contact Alfred Castle at the Castle Foundation
for more information.