As administrators study enrollment trends, the Boyertown Area School Board has taken the option of full-day kindergarten off the table – for now.
At the Oct. 25 school board meeting Assistant Superintendent Robert Scoboria gave a presentation to update the board on elementary enrollment and presented three recommendations: look at redistricting, study full day kindergarten options, and study updated demographic information to determine needs.
After much discussion, the board has rejected the idea of bundling full day kindergarten with solutions for increased enrollment and instead administration to focus on the other two recommendations.
This update follows a request made back in June by the board asking administrators to study enrollment and ways to handle any anticipated growth.
Following the enrollment presentation, Board member Clay Breece stated how the growth of housing doesn’t necessarily bring families with it and wanted to know how the idea of full day kindergarten came up in the presentation as a recommendation.
“We will have open classrooms at schools, some more than others, with sixth grade leaving,” said Assistant Superintendent Robert Scoboria, explaining how the district will have open classrooms as a result of the new K-5 structure. “Since it’s the first time district will have open classrooms, administration wants to look at full day kindergarten.”
The information gathered would then be shared with the board. Scoboria said it’s a topic that’s come up in some meetings and has been discussed in an informal way.
“Some board members brought it up as a possible use of space,” Board President Jill Dennin. “It’s coming from a combination of things: we have the space, we’re one of the only schools that don’t have it, and we’re hearing about it from parents. We’re going to look at it and study it.”
Christine Neiman questioned how much full day K would cost the district.
“Do you want administration studying these options? I want what you want – want to know what board wants administration to do,” said Faidley. “This administration would like direction.”
Landino said it was important to understand the risks.
Stephen Elsier explained how one of the benefits of the high school project is that the district now physically has room. “This didn’t come out of left field; it has been discussed several times in the last several years.”
Following discussion, Faidley asked for consensus from the board regarding the recommendation.
A poll was taken. Board members Clay Breece, Christine Neiman, Robert Caso voted against studying full day kindergarten. John Landino was in favor of studying it via a more holistic approach. David Lewis and Jill Dennin were in favor of studying it but agreed it should be held at a lower priority. Stephen Elsier and Donna Usavage were in favor of all recommendations.
Faidley said he hears the board is not interested to have conversation regarding full day kindergarten.
“For now, the issue is off the table,” said Dennin.
Paul Stengle was absent from the meeting.
