Schools

School Board Gives Go-Ahead to Free, All-Day Kindergarten

The board voted 6-0 on Monday to hire the equivalent of two full-time positions to staff the free, all-day program.

The potential benefits of free, all-day kindergarten outweigh the additional expenses the program will incur, say members of the Inver Grove Heights School Board.

On Monday, the board voted 6-0 to hire the equivalent of two full-time teachers to help staff a free, all-day kindergarten program. Board member Phil Prokopowicz was absent for the meeting. This summer, the district plans to  implement the program, which will be operational for the 2011-2012 school year.

The decision came after nearly two months of discussion among board members. Proponents of the proposal said it will increase early childhood literacy in the district, make the district more competitive with its neighboring districts and improve test scores.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But at least one board member, Phil Prokopowicz, expressed concern over the cost of the program. Staffing alone for free, all-day kindergarten will cost the district an estimated $26,000 a year. Curriculum, materials and other miscellaneous expenses will drive the annual cost higher, but district officials are unsure what the total number will be.

However, Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Wells believes the program can break even if the district can attract at least 18 additional students — and the state aid money that comes with them — to Inver Grove Heights each year.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s the best thing for kids," board member Keri Myran said. "[The studies are] really showing that all day kindergarten students have a better success rate in their education overall [with all-day kindergarten]."

The Inver Grove Heights School District currently has 210 kindergarten students, 114 of which are already enrolled in all-day kindergarten programs. But those programs come at a cost: Parents must pay $2,475 each year to enroll their student in all-day kindergarten.

Instituting free, all-day kindergarten across the district  give students roughly five hours of instructional time each day, double that of the district's current half-day program, district officials have said.

An optional half-day program will remain in place in the district for families who prefer it, Myran and fellow board member Paul Mandell said. Because the district will no longer offer half-day busing, however, parents will be responsible for transporting their kids home from school.

“I think there are so many positives, Mandell said on Thursday, following the meeting. "I think the costs are worth it.”

Correction: Due to incorrect information given to Patch by School District 199, the article above contained an inaccuracy. This year, the school district had 210 kindergarten students, 114 of which were enrolled in all-day kindergarten.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Inver Grove Heights