SOUTH OTSELIC – Administrators in Otselic Valley have seen rough times in recent years, facing a 20 percent decrease in enrollment, failed school budgets and a lack of federal funding, and now the district is looking at ways to increase funding while adding additional programs at the same time.

Currently, the school is investigating the possibility of starting a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for the 2007/2008 school year.

“It’s something that is needed here,” said Superintendent Larry Thomas. “It would dovetail with our regular curriculum and give kids a jump start on their educational careers.”

According to Thomas, no definite plans have been made. The school is currently polling the district to see if demand for the program is there. Any resident of the Otselic Valley School District with a child in their household who will turn four years old by Dec. 1, 2007 may qualify to participate in the program.