The number of students enrolled in Boyd’s pre-K program has more than doubled in the last four years.

After enrolling 23 students in 2008, this year’s total is up to 47.

“We have one teacher and one aide,” said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Barbara Stice. “When we only had 23 enrolled, it worked, but 47 is a lot of kids. It’s too much for two people to handle.”

Stice asked the board of trustees to approve the hire of one more teacher and aide for the pre-K program. The board unanimously approved the additions at Monday night’s meeting.

“That program will continue to grow now that Head Start has begun,” board member Kim Hudson said.

Already 32 of the 47 students enrolled in pre-K are taking part in the Head Start program, which is in its first year at Boyd.

“This is a huge advantage to us,” said Superintendent Ted West. “We think that some of those kids wouldn’t be getting any early instruction without this.”

The board also approved the hire of an additional fourth-grade teacher since that class has reached the limit of the student to teacher ratio.

The district hopes to use state Title I funds-to-pay for the additional teacher.