BOE to discuss kindergarten fee

By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

When the Hays USD 489 Board of Education meets Monday night, it will have plenty to talk about.

Agenda items likely to draw the most attention relate to proposals for how to cover some or all of the nearly $800,000 in reduced state funding plus a $300,000 rise in health insurance costs.

Shared at a board meeting earlier this month, the latest suggestions from district administrators include adding a charge to the full-day kindergarten program, reducing staff by another two certified positions, increasing K-12 workbook and material fees and reducing pay to substitute teachers.

Half-day kindergarten is funded by the state and still would be available for those parents who chose not to pay the $250-per-semester fee for the second half of the day.

That measure is expected to raise $100,000, assuming at least 200 students participate.

With classes starting less than one month away, whether the district will hit that mark remains to be seen.

"We really have no idea (how many children will stay the full day)," said Will Roth, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction. "It's obviously something we don't have experience with."

Since revealing their proposals nearly three weeks ago, Roth said administrators have received several comments from local parents about the recommended change to kindergarten.

The response has been mixed, he said, with some expressing their irritation such an idea was seen as an option, others seeming understanding of the district's financial situation and its attempts to stay out of the black and yet more that simply have been looking for additional information about the change.

Similarly, comments posted on Internet news stories show a variety of emotions.

Those against the suggestion have expressed concern for an imbalance in the educational development among those children who stay in school throughout the afternoon and those who leave at lunch.

Much of the research on the subject suggests that, at least on a short-term basis, children who attend kindergarten for a full day exhibit a greater degree of learning than their half-day counterparts.

Roth did not deny some children might "miss out" if the proposal is adopted by the school board but said steps likely would be made to limit any negative effects.

"We can talk about structuring our day so that (children) get the important basics, even if they're there for half a day," he said, giving one possibility.

"We're trying to make the fall with as little damage as possible."

Another money-saving idea to be looked at Monday is a 10-percent reduction in administrator and director salaries, proposed by school board member Greg Schwartz at the last meeting July 6.

According to district figures, that would open more than $150,000.

"I think it will have less of an impact than getting rid of kindergarten," Schwartz said at the time.

Other agenda items for Monday's meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room at the Rockwell Administration Building, include:

* A review of school site council reports.

* Bids for a new passenger car for Hays Head Start.

* A nursing contract for special needs students.

* Renewal of district membership in Schools for Fair Funding.

* The review of the 2010 budget and its approval for publication.

* Board of Education attendance.