By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
A committee has been established in the Millstone Township K-8 School District to explore the possibility of instituting a full-day kindergarten program in the district.
At present, the district provides a half-day kindergarten program. Kindergarten pupils attend the Millstone Township Primary School from 9:05-11:45 a.m. or from 1:05-3:45 p.m.
The Full-Day Kindergarten Committee held its first meeting on Nov. 21 and is expected to meet again on Dec. 5, Jan. 9 and Feb. 6. The committee’s meetings are not open to the public.
The members of the committee are Board of Education member Melissa Riviello, who chairs the board’s Education Committee; Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder; Director of Curriculum and Instruction Karen Barry; Middle School Assistant Principal Paul Baker; Child Study Team member Nancy Osterberg; Seventh grade math teacher Michelle Nixon; Millstone Township Elementary School reading specialist Colleen Henkin; Millstone Township Primary School reading specialist Stephanie Dunk; Township Committeeman Fiore Masci, who is the governing body’s liaison to the school board; and several residents who have children of varying ages.
The following topics are expected to be discussed by committee members:
• The academic value of the program, assessed through national research, research in Millstone and how the current half-day kindergarten program would compare to a full-day program.
• Community opinion about the program, which will be collected through surveys.
• The community value of the program, assessed through the impact full-day kindergarten would have on home values, sales, and/or interest and pupil benefits.
• The financial impact of the program, looking at the cost of a full-day kindergarten program and how that cost would impact the school district, taxes, other district initiatives, and services and additional programs potentially offered by the district in the future.
• State rules and regulations to ensure the committee has a full understanding of mandates and potential bills and legislation.
According to members of the committee, they will make a recommendation regarding the possible implementation of full-day kindergarten to the school board’s Education Committee, which in turn will make a recommendation to the full board for consideration.
A presentation discussing the committee’s findings is scheduled to be made at the board‘s Feb. 13 meeting. Final considerations and motions regarding a full-day kindergarten program will be made no later than Feb. 27, according to committee members.
The possibility of instituting full-day kindergarten was raised when board members were developing a budget for the 2016-17 school year.
Board member John Sico advocated for a full-day program. He noted the success full-day kindergarten has had in other school districts.
Other board members agreed such a program was right for Millstone, but did not believe it could be accomplished for the 2016-17 school year. With a tax increase anticipated for 2016-17, board members said they were concerned about adding more costs to the budget.
During the budget discussions, administrators indicated that the cost to switch from a half-day kindergarten program to a full-day program would be about $250,000.
The board decided not to provide full-day kindergarten in the 2016-17 budget after a majority of members voted against that option in a straw poll. However, board members indicated they would be open to moving to full-day kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year when the district’s debt service payment is not expected to increase.