Politics & Government

School Committee Makes Its Case on Full-Day Kindergarten

The following is Part Two from a transcript of the Dec. 9, 2013 Tri-Board Meeting.

The following is Part Two from a transcript of the Dec. 9, 2013 Tri-Board Meeting. 


For links to other parts of the meeting, click here. For a video of the meeting, head to chelmsfordtv.org

7:55 p.m. to 8:54 p.m.

Cohen introduced Dr. Frank Tiano, superintendent of Chelmsford’s Public Schools, who then provided a presentation he showed to the School Committee a week earlier on full-day kindergarten.

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He then took questions regarding payment from School Choice students (non-special education out-of-town students who come to Chelmsford), transportation fees, the financial sustainability of the program, and why hasn’t Chelmsford gotten full-day kindergarten yet.

In regard to whether Chelmsford was ready, Tiano answered that from what he has been hearing, children coming in from pre-school are often “let down” by half-day kindergarten compared to what they would receive from a full day program.

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The issue of whether the program should be free or require a tuition was seen by Tiano as a question on providing opportunity to parents of lesser means.

It was mentioned that children who are eligible for free or reduced lunches are eligible for free or reduced kindergarten and School Committee chairman Mike Rigney said that there is already a significant amount of parents who are paying for private full-day Kindergarten who would likely be interested in a public full-day option.

Rigney said that fee structures for other things such as athletic fees are also a constant topic of discussion.

Questions were also asked over the long-term benefit versus the short-term tax impact, as well as possible revenues from fees.

Selectman Janet Askenburg asked if additional staffing would be needed for lunchrooms as well as long term cost projections, with Cohen indicating that may rise due to health insurance, payroll taxes and other benefits.

Board of Selectmen chairman Matt Hanson asked if a full-day program would eventually help test scores at higher grades as well as if it would help the community in a broader way.

Going back to the issue of fees, School Committee member Evelyn Thoren said that opportunity for full-day kindergarten should be open to everyone.

Finance Committee member Claire Jeannotte asked how full-day kindergarten would be funded in future years without fees, with Tiano and Cohen saying it’s a question within the purview of the School Committee and superintendent, with Tiano saying that options are still being mulled over and Cohen saying it’s unclear if $500,000 in additional funds under the levy limit are available for full-day kindergarten given other needs for the town.

Tiano also added that the majority of towns in Massachusetts provide full-day kindergarten without any fees.

School Committee member Nick DiSilvio said that the decision is ultimately to the town and that the School Department has done well in the past few years finding cost cutting measures, with the main point of the evening was how other departments could help with this initiative, as no additional money could likely be cut from the current school budget.

DiSilvio also added that the School Committee considers Chelmsford a K-12 community, and that fees should not be added for schooling itself, as opposed to extracurricular activities.

The issue of equity was brought up again, and Rigney said that no-fee half-day kindergarten would likely have to be offered and that the people in the middle (those who would not get financial assistance or can already afford private full-day kindergarten) would be those who would be squeezed.

Rigney said the School Committee to go back to parents to see how many would pay fees, with an estimate likely possibly by the end of January, but that the School Committee needs to be able to fit this within its budget and support is needed.

It was said that test program may be needed, but Cohen replied that since Chelmsford was one of the last towns in the state without full-day kindergarten, the data is likely already available.

Cohen also said a decision needs to be made in the next month, as those looking for full-day kindergarten will likely start signing up their children very soon and would not likely enroll their children in an uncertain situation.

Hanson asked Tiano about a potential $50,000 jump in Chapter 70 funding, but Tiano clarified that additional money would be just for the kindergarten program.

School Committee member Al Thomas reiterated his view that free public education should be provided to all, and that fees do not go away.

He also said that parents already pay significantly for threatened programs such as sports and music programs because they feel they have to, with more difficult decisions looming on the horizon.

Hanson said that approximately $1 million per year is available in free cash and more is available in stabilization fees. Between that and increased revenue mentioned earlier, he said that if people put their heads together, this could be made to work.

Cohen said that people would need to be convinced there is a long term educational benefit, a “bang for the buck”, in order to support funding it.

It was then mentioned that early education helps students at later levels.

8:54 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Cohen had one additional discussion topic surrounding a potential economic development officer, or a person whose job it is to seek investors for empty commercial properties.

He estimated that it would cost $40,000. However, that money would be paid over several times and it’d be contracted so benefits would not have to be paid.

At one point there was an economic development officer, but he was not there long enough to determine if he was effective. Cohen said it’d take at least 12 to 18 months to gauge whether the program would be successful.

Cohen said that zoning and permitting board are also important, and those components are already done, Chelmsford just needs marketing.

The meeting concluded with Cohen saying he will submit a proposed final budget and capital budget at the Jan. 27 Board of Selectmen meeting. 


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