School districts in Stoughton, Columbus, Deerfield, Sauk Prairie and Janesville were among 32 statewide named Monday to receive Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction grants to start kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds.

But it may not be enough for at least one area district.

Getting 4-year-olds enrolled in kindergarten is a key step to raising student achievement levels and graduation rates, particularly among children from low-income families, national research has shown, DPI spokesman Patrick Gasper said.

School districts' efforts to launch 4K programs have been hampered because it takes three years to get full funding for the program under the state's school-finance system, according to DPI.

That's what these grants are supposed to address with $3 million announced for 4K programs to start this fall.

Columbus, one of the school districts that qualified for the grant, would get an estimated $62,814 to enroll 87 children this fall.

Joanne Grassman, Columbus' director of student services, said the school is pleased to be awarded the grant, but as for creating a fall 4K program, they are "a little bit cautious."

"We're right at that turning point," Grassman said. "The amount is a little bit less than what we were hoping for."

Still, Grassman noted the district is just beginning to crunch numbers for the fall.

Districts have until July 15 to decide whether they'll take the grant.

The DPI grants are awarded to districts that take a "community approach" to starting 4-year-old kindergarten. In such a system, districts form a council or advisory group and collaborate with Head Start, licensed group-based child care or preschool centers to provide 4K services.

Stoughton Superintendent Mary Gavigan said the estimated grant the district would receive, about $100,000, will help offset start-up costs.

The program, however, would cost the district about $500,000 for the upcoming school year, said Erica Pickett, Stoughton's business service director.

Plus, she stressed, the community supported more early childhood learning opportunities and DPI estimates they'll enroll 140 students this fall.

"We are very interested in going forward in early education," Pickett said. "We're really excited."