Full-day kindergarten pilot program under discussion

COEUR d’ALENE — A pilot program for full-day kindergarten at Sorensen Magnet School and Hayden Meadows Elementary School is in the works, but school board members still have to decide how to pay for the classes. Trustees deliberated at the Coeur d’Alene School District office Wednesday and will further discuss the possibilities at their June 4 board meeting.

If approved, the pilot program would put one full-day kindergarten classroom at Sorensen and Hayden Meadows in the 2018-19 school year, said district spokesman Scott Maben. He explained that students at Borah, Bryan, Fernan and Winton elementary schools have full-day kindergarten programs paid for by federal funds and local levy dollars. The district’s seven other elementary schools receive state funding for half-day kindergarten programs. Tuition dollars or district funds would make up the difference for the full-day kindergarten classrooms at Sorensen and Hayden Meadows, explained Maben.

According to a May 16 memo from director of elementary education Kate Orozco, the cost for a “subsidized full day kindergarten classroom is $52,290.” On Wednesday, board members looked at four different scenarios in dealing with that cost. Orozco asked board members to move forward only if most or all of them agreed on one of the options below. Otherwise, she recommended postponing the pilot program and asking the early childhood ad hoc committee to further study the issue.

Scenario A: Tuition $415. Number of paying families: 14. Number of scholarships available per classroom: 9. Cost to district for two pilot classrooms: $0.

Scenario B: Tuition $250. Number of paying families: 23. Number of scholarships available per classroom: 0. Cost to district for two pilot classrooms: $1,080.

Scenario C: Tuition $323. Number of paying families: 18. Number of scholarships available per classroom: 5. Cost to district for two pilot classrooms: $0.

Scenario D: Tuition $275. Number of paying families: 18. Number of scholarships available per classroom: 5. Cost to district for two pilot classrooms: $15,480.

During Wednesday’s discussion, board member Tambra Pickford said she preferred the $323 tuition level, and wanted no cost to the district. “We’re strapped as it is, and I don’t want to stress people out to come up with the cost.”

Sorensen Magnet School Principal Brett Depew said he spoke with families who told him the $415 level was too high and unfair. Of the 16 families interested in the pilot program, 15 said they’d be willing to pay $323 per month. Board member Tom Hearn said he was inclined to go with either the $323 or $275 amounts.

Board member Dave Eubanks said he wanted to see more scholarship students in the classes.

While willing to support the pilot, board member Lisa May said she wanted the district to find a way to provide full-day kindergarten for all district students. Superintendent Stan Olson agreed with May’s goal, but admitted, “I don’t know if we can do it in a year.” May said the district should re-evaluate its model for the full-day kindergarten fee structure over the coming year. The 2018-19 school year would be an opportunity for the district to learn the process, Olson said.

May supported the $275 tuition level, saying that it would provide more opportunities for families to participate. Board chairman Casey Morrisroe said he was torn between the $323 and $275 levels. The pilot program needs to be affordable for the district and the patrons, as well as the students’ families, he explained.

Eubanks asked for even numbers of seats in the classroom between scholarship and tuition-paying students.

“I support all-day kindergarten, I helped bring it to the district five years ago,” he said.

The board took no action on the proposal Wednesday. According to Maben, parents at the two schools received information about the pilot program in an email Wednesday night, centering on the $250-350 per month range for tuition. The board will likely make a decision at its June 4 regular board meeting held at 5 p.m. at the Midtown Center, located at 1505 N. Fifth St. in Coeur d’Alene.