All-day kindergarten proposal passes,
despite some parental objections
While budget cuts and financial crises have eclipsed other concerns in Grosse Pointe schools, the question of an all-day kindergarten program stepped into the light at February’s school board meeting. And the board approved the plan.
The program will cover every child in every Grosse Pointe elementary school, takes effect with the 2010-11 school year, is tuition-free and allows parents to remove their student from the program at mid-day if that is their preference.
At the meeting, some parents raised questions and objections, including whether all-day kindergarten helps only “at-risk” children and, in general, is no more enriching than half-day programs.
“I am extremely disappointed in this school district,” parent Nicole Boutris said. “We were blindsided by this all-day kindergarten proposal, which, to my complete horror, was presented without a nod to taxpayers.”
“Half-day kindergarten is more than enough preparation,” parent Allie Turner said. “All-day kindergarten is developmentally inappropriate for five-year-olds. The number of students in classrooms will increase if it goes to a full day, as well. There are other avenues that have not been explored and I think this proposal should be shelved for now.”
Others present were in favor of the program. Ten kindergarten teachers approached the podium all at once. Deb Kraft, a kindergarten teacher at Poupard Elementary School, spoke first, giving two suggestions to the board:
“First, support the all-day kindergarten program. High-performing districts have it. Out of 781 Michigan districts, 330 have all-day kindergarten. Second, class size matters. Our curriculum demands have increased, and we are the new first grade.”
Nancy Schulte, a kindergarten teacher at Richard Elementary School, described the basic needs of 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds, stating that all-day kindergarten increases physical and mental development.
“Our No. 1 goal as kindergarten teachers is to help them feel comfortable, competent and confident,” Schulte said.
Board treasurer Brendan Walsh, a particularly strong advocate for all-day kindergarten, dismissed the accusations that residents were blindsided by the proposal, stating that it had been brought up in previous board meetings. He made it clear that he agreed with the teachers, and that parents are opting out of something better if they choose half-day programs.
“I agree with Mr. Walsh that we are a progressive district and not having all-day kindergarten would be a big mistake,” said John Steininger, school board president. “We have to understand that this will be mandated at some point and we can get on the bus now or later, but I’d prefer we get on sooner than later.”
Although a recent local survey found only 40% saying all-day kindergarten is a good idea (47% said it wasn’t and the rest were undecided), statistics presented by Lee Warras, executive director for instructional services, showed that full-day students' test scores are higher than half-day, and full-day students are half as likely to be referred to special education services.
The board unanimously approved the full-day option.
Comments
ADK Decision: Tax Relief and Makes GPPSS a Better District
The logic of this decision is overwhelmingly in favor of a district-wide no fee All Day Kindergarten (ADK) program. I wrote a blog entry over a month ago providing my rationale for this decision and I would encourage everyone to read it. But I want to call a few key points out:
1. To the argument made here that this decision was made "without a nod to taxpayers" I submit the exact opposite is true. This move eliminates the unfair double tax extracted from families who have been enrolling students in the former fee-based Extended Day Kindergarten program. Michigan school districts receive full per pupil funding for all students, even half day kindergarten students. To charge those families extra for sending their children to an all day program for which we already receive funding is taxing them twice.
2. On top of this, the fee for the former program was being raised every year - equivalent to a annual tax hike. Taxpayers across the district should recognize this decision as an elimination of an unfair tax that was increased every February.
3. There was public discussion of this decision at least twice preceding this vote. It was made quite clear we would be voting on this a full month before we did vote. There were two community survey touching on the topic completed by more than 1,200 residents. There were multiple references to the issue on the district web site. At some point residents must take it upon themselves to remain engaged in these discussions.
4. The students who will benefit the most from a no-fee ADK are the ones who could least afford it. The community always asks, what are we doing to make improvements? How can we better prepare students to excel? Well, this is a great example. Ask families who have had children in Extended Day Kindergarten how well those students were prepared. If advocates for half-day kindergarten want to remove their children mid-day then they will be allowed to do so. Meanwhile, those who choose to stay will get a richer experience. That is the intent. The choice remains with the parent.
Having been on the Board for over four years and listened to the concerns of taxpayers, I am proud of my advocacy for this decision. It makes us a better district. We are often compared to Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham and neither of them have such a program as this. It is my goal that Grosse Pointe Schools be recognized as THE best district in the state. This decision is progress in that direction.
Read the papers. While well-heeled districts in the Tri-County area are closing elementary schools (Farmington, Bloomfield Hills) or are close to operating in a deficit financial position (West Bloomfield) Grosse Pointe Public Schools is investing MORE in core educational services with this decision.
Brendan Walsh