(1) The district school board of any school district in which there are resident children who are three years of age or older but who have not attained compulsory attendance age and who are not enrolled in a kindergarten of the district may:
(a) Provide early childhood education for such children as part of the district’s educational program; or
(b) When the board considers a contract to be economically feasible and in the interests of the learning opportunities of eligible children, contract for instruction of such children in a school district operating an approved early childhood education program, subject to such reimbursement as the districts may agree.
(2) An education service district may operate an approved early childhood education program in the same manner as programs are provided under ORS 334.175 or 334.185. [Formerly 343.435]