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Schools

Administration Supports Full Day Kindergarten in Attleboro

Mayor Kevin Dumas spoke at the Attleboro School Committee meeting in support of a multi-year, phase-in plan for free full-day kindergarten.

Attleboro Superintendent Pia Durkin’s proposal for full-day Kindergarten during School Committee meeting Monday night included multiple options for implementation, including free full-day kindergarten for all, free full-day kindergarten with the option for half day or tuition based full-day program.

Also included was a proposed a phase-in plan that would take place over fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

The plan would be to add three full-day classes in 2013 at a cost of $287,000 and then two additional full-day classes in 2014 at a cost of $195,000.

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Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas voiced his support of the plan to the committee and said he would like to be able to pursue this for fiscal year 2013 when the budget planning begins in January.

“It’s our gal to take that first step forward,” Dumas said.

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The cost to implement free full-day kindergarten all at once was estimated to be $542,000 with $420,500 going towards addition staff and benefits and the remaining $120,000 for additional materials and supplies.

One reason the administration favored the multi-year approach is that there would be an 18-month gap in the budget due to the way state funding is calculated. If the district sees an increase in enrolment it would also expect to see more money from the state to reflect the increase in enrollment. However, there would be 18 months between the time of that enrollment bump and the subsequent increase in funds.

Durkin said space and classrooms would not be an issue as of now with 435 projected kindergarten students, but that number is closing in on their current capacity.

The tuition option would come with fees possibly ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. However Nancy Sprague, Director of Teaching and Learning Excellence said the pay option is

Committee member is something administration, and the new incoming school committee members, need to take a closer look at as it is an option that could give more people access to the full- day kindergarten program quickly, rather than in a multi-year implementation.

Additionally, he said many parents, including himself, would be willing to pay the tuition since they would be paying a similar amount, if not more, for a private school or a day care option.

“I’m going to be paying this amount of money regardless,” Hill said.

An issue that is frequently brought up with regards to the tuition plan is how the district would go about collecting the money.

“That’s one of the biggest hurdles,” said committee member Michael Levinson.

Hill suggested that the district could use a third party, such as Sally Mae, much in the way colleges collect their tuitions.

“It’s something the next committee will have to look at closely,” said Hill of the tuition option.

Meeting Notes:

  • l seniors Emily Mayer and Brian Cox received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Excellence Award from Superintendent Durkin. Mayer is interested in attending Harvard University, Brown University and West Point to study engineering or business. Cox is interested in Northeastern University, Boston College and the University of Massachusetts- Amherst to study science and physics.
  • Voted to accept a donation of $100 from Howard Levine to the Attleboro Evening Diploma Program.

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