Unalaska, AK – The school board will meet tonight to discuss the possibility of enrolling local children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program was started by the country singer in 1996 in Tennessee. Enrolled children ages birth to five receive a new book every month to read along with their parents. Superintendent John Conwell said it's an effective, simple way to help children develop.

"Go to the post office once a month and they'll have an age appropriate book sent to them," he said. "Of course, many kids that age can't read themselves so a lot of the responsibility falls on the parents to read the book to the children and that's a very effective way of building literacy in kids that age."

Research shows that reading with preschool children helps them develop skills that are necessary for succeeding in school.

The program was mentioned by a school board member who participated in another state and district staff researched it. Seven communities in Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Nome, already participate.

Communities and schools sponsor participation with the help of funding from some outside sources. It costs about $28 per child per year. Parents don't pay any of the costs. Conwell gives a rough estimate of 200 children aged birth to 5 in this community, making the total cost of the program only $5,600 per year.

Conwell said he and his staff have figured out how to make participation administratively possible and have ideas for funding sources, but there is one challenge-- "Just trying to find out which families out there have kids under five years of age and get them to contact the school so we can get them in databank and registered for this program."

The board will decide whether or not to join at tonight's meeting. They'll also discuss upcoming school renovations. The school bond should be sold by early March and the district is currently reviewing the bids. Construction should start this summer.

The school board will meet tonight, Thursday, January 22, at 7 pm in the school library.

To find out more about the program, go to their website.