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Board defers all-day kindergarten |
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Monday, 14 April 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
NEW KNOXVILLE — New Knoxville Board of Education members unanimously supported establishing all-day kindergarten, but held off on its implementation until the 2009-10 school year as a precautionary measure.
Board members said the decision was driven by unknowns in the district’s renovation project. It is, as board member Brent Henschen said, “a matter of timing.”
“We are unanimous for bringing all-day kindergarten to New Knoxville,” board member Stan Reineke said.
It was a sentiment echoed by every board member.
However, each of them agreed the completion of the renovation project is a top priority.
Last month, Elementary Principal Julie Willoughby pitched the idea to board members. Willoughby said she believed students would perform better academically and the all-day kindergarten could ease their transition to full-time school.
Willoughby said she hoped board members would approve the measure for the upcoming school year.
However during the special meeting Saturday, board members decided to postpone the new kindergarten program for a year citing some “hiccups,” with the renovation project.
“It is the unknowns of the project that is the driver,” board member Craig Leffel said.
An all-day kindergarten program would require the school to hire one extra teacher. While the cost of a new teacher remains undetermined, there have been some aspects of the renovation process that have exceeded initial forecasts.
The electrical and technology bids came in higher than expected. There also were some unanticipated costs associated with the portable classrooms.
Board members said they also anticipate the cost of asphalt to increase.
Board president Phil Kuck also took a moment to talk about unfunded mandates the state legislature frequently passes on to schools, particularly Jarod’s Law.
“That is a cost that we weren’t anticipating,” Kuck said, adding that multiple renovation projects are on tap for the summer break. “We’ve got a big summer. This summer is absolutely huge.”
Board members also approved a new teacher contract during the meeting.
Board member Todd Spieles said the three year contract included increases in base pay of 2 percent for 2008-09, 2.5 percent for 2009-10 and 2.7 percent for 2010-11.
They also announced the boys basketball team will be traveling to Columbus April 30 and will attend a legislative session in which they will be honored by the legislators for winning the state tournament.
The regular scheduled board meeting is at 7 p.m. April 28. The May board meeting has been changed to 7 p.m. May 17 in the media room at the school.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 April 2008 )
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