By Andrew Corselli, Staff Writer
A full-day, tuition-based kindergarten program will be in effect in September if the budget passes on April 27.
The program aims to have one class in each of the six elementary schools with no more than 22 children in each section. The 132 or so students in the program would be picked through a lottery system that will be held in mid-May.
There’s a strong possibility that the revenue from the yet-to-be-determined tuition would be used to further the efforts for the schools.
”As the revenue is generated, it could help to add any type of additional programs or other type of class-size reductions,” superintendent Dr. Jorden Schiff said during a budget presentation to the Township Committee meeting on April 12. “We do not have an elementary world language program; we are out of compliance with the state. We could use some of (the revenue) for property tax relief in the following school year budget, or a combination of the two.”
A survey conducted revealed that 48.2 percent of the people who responded were very interested in the program, 38.1 percent were somewhat interested and 13.7 percent were not interested, according to Dr. Lisa Antunes, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
There will be a presentation of the educational plan at the school board meeting on Monday, May 2, according to Dr. Antunes.

