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SAN DIEGO – Now that the State of California has adopted emergency regulations eliminating the “housing allowance penalty” for military dependents, nine preschools in the San Diego Unified School District have received state approval to welcome back military families.
The nine preschools that will accept military dependents under the emergency regulations are:
- Balboa, 1844 South 40th Street (92113)
- Bay Point, 2850 Wasp Way (92106)
- Carson, 6905 Kramer Street (92111)
- Central, 4063 Polk Avenue (92105)
- Cherokee Point, 3735 38th Street (92105)
- Euclid, 4166 Euclid Avenue (92105)
- Kimbrough, 321 Hoitt Street (92102)
- Jackson, 5465 El Cajon Boulevard (92115)
- Toler, 3350 Baker Street, (92117)
Although these locations are able to accept military dependents under the emergency regulations, students are accepted only on a first-come, first served basis. Additionally, there are income restrictions for state-funded preschool students.
With more military housing – particularly in the San Diego area – being operated by the private sector, military housing allowances have been increased to cover the higher cost of the housing. State rules effective Sept. 17, 2007, counted this as income, even though soldiers and sailors could only use this housing voucher for specific, privately operated military housing.
With this emergency rule change, many military families can now meet the needs test to qualify their dependents for preschool.
At a news conference announcing the rule change, Shelia Jackson, Vice President of the San Diego Board of Education, lauded state officials for making the change.
“We have to make a special effort to help these families,” said Jackson, a Navy veteran. “These students face extra challenges to overcome the achievement gap. They are constantly moving with their families, their parents are on duty.”
San Diego Unified has more than 15,000 students who are families of the Navy, Marine Corps and other federal services. This is one of the largest concentrations in any school district in the nation.
Preschool -- including programs open to all income levels -- is available at many San Diego Unified campuses. Some of the programs are operated by the district; others by contractors.
For enrollment information at any of these centers, call (858) 496-8126.
