Marion board Oks all-day kindergarten
Parents can opt out for half-day
Staff writer
Students beginning kindergarten at Marion Elementary School next year will attend a full day of school — if their parents are agreeable.
Monday night, Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education voted 6-1 to implement an all-day kindergarten program beginning with the 2005-06 school year.
However, parents have the option of sending their child for a half-day — during the morning session — if they so desire.
Board president Rex Savage cast the "no" vote. He noted that whatever decision the board makes will be "good for some and bad for others."
Superintendent Lee Leiker recapped information presented previously regarding the educational and social benefits of all- day kindergarten.
"Some concern was expressed that implementing this program would mean the transitional first grade (T-1) program would lose money (state funding)," Leiker explained. "Actually, we really don't gain any money from the T-1 program so we can't lose any."
The T-1 program is geared to students who are not ready for a regular first grade curriculum. Leiker explained there was concern that students who were slated for the T-1 class would end up being retained in kindergarten. Since the state only counts kindergartners as a half-student or .5 when it comes to funding, concerns were expressed that the district would lose money if these students remained in kindergarten rather than advance to first grade.
"In all likelihood, they would advance to a regular first grade classroom and not be retained in kindergarten," Leiker said.
The state funding of kindergarten students also brought up other concerns, Leiker noted. Since kindergartners only receive half the per-pupil state funding, some felt it was not the time to take on additional programs — especially after making deep program and staff cuts the past two years.
"I have experienced moving to an all-day kindergarten program first hand and witnessed the positive results associated with this type of program," Leiker told the board.
Leiker further noted he had visited with the elementary teachers and sympathized with them regarding the pressure they feel in preparing students to perform at proficient or higher levels in state assessment tests.
"I know the time restraints our teachers are dealing with," he said.
Noting the program benefits, Leiker said he felt it would help students get a better start in school.
Board members Sarah Cope, Kathy Meierhoff, and Chris Sprowls expressed support for the all-day program. Savage, however, felt it was taking responsibility away from parents.
Savage also expressed concern regarding state funding of kindergarten programs. He noted taking on a program which is not funded or mandated by the state "will probably not set well" after cutting programs in previous years.
Leiker said approval of the all-day kindergarten program does not necessarily mean the end of the T-1 program.
"That will depend on enrollment. We'll have to wait and see what happens," he said.
Leiker also noted no additional staff positions would be added to handle the program.
