Bibb 4-year-old offered pre-K slot at Northwoods Academy

Officials from the Bibb County school system and the state agency that operates Georgia’s pre-K program said Tuesday they have been working since last week with a family protesting their 4-year-old son’s removal from Sonny Carter Elementary’s pre-K class.

Travlis and Shalanda Gardner protested in front of the Zebulon Road elementary school Monday, saying their son, Austin, was removed because school officials said he wasn’t mature enough or a good fit for that school’s pre-K classroom.

While school system officials have said it cannot comment on Austin Gardner’s specific case because of privacy violations, they said they offered the boy a slot at another one of their pre-K programs. They said the Gardner family visited that school Friday.

“There has been a collaborative effort with our pre-K program and Bright From the Start to address this and make a plan that works for the child,” said Sylvia McGee, Bibb’s acting school superintendent. “He has been offered a place at Northwoods (Academy.)”

Northwoods Academy, an early childhood center, opened last year for Bibb County children ages 3 to 6 for both general and special education programs.

Stacey Moore, spokeswoman for Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, which runs Georgia’s pre-K program, told The Telegraph on Tuesday that efforts were made to find the Gardners resources for their child’s early learning needs.

“Our job is to put the resources in place to help children and families to receive quality education,” Moore said.

“That’s what we (did) in the case with this family.”

Shalanda Gardner said Tuesday that her family is “undecided” about whether to accept the Northwoods slot.

To contact writer Julie Hubbard, call 744-4331.