Thanks to a state initiative, South Putnam Schools has received a $100,000 pre-school grant aimed at helping the district provide preschool for teachers who have children ages 4 and 5. 
The money came from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning and is an employer sponsored child care fund, which is a $25 million program that provides funding for employers and local communities to expand employer subsidized child care benefits that will address child care needs. 

"It was a huge, group effort," South Putnam superintendent Dr. Corey Smith said during this week's school board meeting. 

Smith said the program will be housed at Fillmore Elementary School and open to staff who have preschool students ages 4 and 5. 

"Staff throughout the district will have dibs on the first 15 spots in our employer based pre-school. If not all the spots are used, we will open it up to the public," Smith said. 

Smith added the district was the only one in Putnam County to receive the grant funds. 

During the meeting, school board members asked Smith if it would be free for parents. 

"We are hoping to pay for it all through the grant. Worst case, it will be a reduced fee," Smith said. 

In a press release, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said the state wanted to provide a solution to employers looking to create child care solutions for their workforce. 

"This effort harnesses the combined efforts of businesses, community groups and schools that want to support working Hoosiers' careers and our youngest learners across the state," Holcomb said.