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Schools

Dexter Principals Propose Full-Day Kindergarten Program to School Board

Changes to the kindergarten program in Dexter could cost school district $400,000 for 2011-2012.

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education is considering changing the kindergarten schedule from the current half-day classes to full-day, every-day classes for the 2011-2012 school year.

Principals Craig McCalla of and Tim Authier of told board members Monday that changing the program to a full-day format would benefit students.

Superintendent Mary Marshall said studies show that students in a full-day program report "measurable gains" in mathematics and reading over those in part-time classes.

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She said that the full-day format also gives teachers the opportunity to identify students who are at risk early on.

McCalla said that in a full-day kindergarten, there is more time to play instead of rush through the curriculum.

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He said that the district has been looking into implementing a full-day kindergarten since 2008, when parents responded favorably to a survey circulated throughout the district. 

McCalla said if it is approved, the full-day program should be conducted as a pilot program for two years to study whether or not there are any benefits to the students.

"When we talked to different districts, the superintendents said (full-day kindergarten) is what they would keep," he said.

McCalla said some parents have said they are not interested in a program change because it means students will be in school too many hours.

"We could offer a half-day program if people want it, or offer the full-day program and let the kids go home at lunch," he said.

McCalla said it would cost around $270,000 to $400,00o to implement a full-day kindergarten program in the district. However, some of that cost could be reduced by eliminating the noon bus pickup for students and require parents who want half-day programming to provide their own transportation.

Trustee Julie Schumaker said she was very supportive of a full-day kindergarten program.

"There are lasting benefits for the children, but it is important for parents who only want the half-day to choose that," she said. "We have to figure out how to fit $400,000 in expenses into the budget."

Trustee Richard Lundy said that he was skeptical about offering a variety of format choices, citing two different levels of preparedness for students entering the first grade.

Board President Larry Cobler said the board would take the recommendation under advisement for future discussions.

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