Getting children from disadvantaged households into a classroom setting as soon as possible is crucial to their future performance in school and beyond—as well as in breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

That was the thrust of a forum held last Thursday evening in Thomas Hunter Middle School’s Brooks Auditorium.

The Mathews County School Board is exploring the possibility of establishing an early childhood education program to be housed at Lee-Jackson Elementary School. This program would consist of two classes that would serve identified, at-risk 3- and 4-year-old children.

“We’re here tonight to briefly talk about an opportunity,” Mathews Superintendent of Schools Nancy Welch said, referring to the promise of a substantial grant that would provide the start-up money for a 3-year-old preschool program.

Welch was referring to an offer from the Kids First Foundation to provide $225,000 to get the 3-year-old program up and running. This grant would...