Board Poised to Vote on Full-Day Kindergarten

The is planning to vote March 28 on whether to offer universal full-day kindergarten, expanding the current offering of one class at each of the district's six elementary schools. 

Director of Business Operations Jack Myers previously estimated that price tag at $500,000 to $600,000. Last week he said the cost has now been included in the draft budget after the administration had made "lots of progress" in making several budget cuts. And Superintendent David Baugh said those proposed cuts will "more than likely" cover the increased cost of full-day K.

"We anticipate closing the gap. We firmly believe the money is there somewhere," he said.

In response to a question from board member Matthew Grodsky indicated there is data to show that full-day kindergarten would allow the district to more quickly evaluate students with special needs.

"There is a better opportunity to know students when we have them for a full day," he said.

Former Superintendent Bill Gretzula has reported that district students who have taken part in full-day classes have exited kindergarten with double the grade and progress as those still in half-day classes. In addition, he has said, full-day classes help children with their social development and the district is able to gather more data to identify students' special needs.

Former full-day kindergarten teacher Natalie Hartman told the school board last week that full-day classes provide 60 more minutes per day of writing for students. She said peer editing in those classes teach students how to give and take constructive criticism. And she added that full-day classes prompt more parental involvement in the classroom.

Under a pilot program that began in 2007-2008, the district holds a lottery to determine which children can attend full-day classes. There are 120 full-day students and 275 half-day pupils, and administrators have said the discrepancy is detrimental to the latter group.

Board member Kim Rim Rivera said last week, "If you want to keep up with charter schools we have to offer full day kindergarten. I think a lot of children go to charter schools because of full-day kindergarten."

Colleague Wayne Lewis said the board should vote at its next meeting after submitting any further questions to President Heather Nicholas, who indicated she agreed. 

Four members of the public voiced strong support of program expansion.

One woman said losing in the lottery was "exhaustive and stressful."

"Students don't have a second to take a breath" in half-day classes, she added.

Margo Mocarsky said she really doesn't want to send her young son to a nonpublic school.

"It (full-day kindergarten) is the new standard and in Bensalem, unfortunately, that's not the reality for most of the kids," she said.

Melissa Dewees, a psychologist, said one of her children attended half-day classes while another attended full-day. The latter, she said, had greater confidence while the former continues to struggle. She said her family's experience changed her mind about the importance of full-day K. 

Last budget season the school board decided against program expansion, citing financial constraints.

The board intends to adopt a proposed budget May 9; hold a question-and-answer session May 23; and adopt a final budget June 13.

A presentation on full-day kindergarten is being broadcast daily on Channel 28 for Comcast customers and Channel 32 for Verizon customers.