Glen Ellyn School District 41 board members say they want input from the community before making a decision on all-day kindergarten. For resident Stephanie Clarke, the decision to go to the community now, in October, is frustrating.
“Back in January, I urged the board to consider everything they were talking about (Monday) night and before approving phase one of their facilities plan, I thought they should have made a decision about what they wanted to do with all-day kindergarten, surveyed the community and then devised a plan,” said Clark, a resident who attended the special board meeting last week.
Superintendent Paul Gordan said he would like full-day kindergarten in Glen Ellyn schools.
“For me, I support full-day kindergarten,” he said. “I believe in full-day kindergarten; I think it’s a game changer.”
He then asked board members to express their interest level.
The board members expressed three categories of concern in adding full-day kindergarten — cost, space and value.
“I support full-day kindergarten … at some level, you have a budget to think of,” board member Joe Bochenski said.
Gordon reminded board members that research indicates that students who attend full-day kindergarten excel in grades first through third, but then the improvement levels off and the gap lessens between students who attend full-day kindergarten and those that do not. This was a sticking point for some board members who believe that the district should be focusing on the academic achievement gap in the district.
Board member Cathryn Wilkinson felt that there were a number of considerations.
“I’m not convinced that we should make it happen for any student at any cost,” she said.
Gordon asked board members to rate their interest in full-day kindergarten on a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the most interested.
“I’m a one; you’re going to have to convince me,” board member Patrick Escalante said. “I know we’re trying to take money off the table, but money is always on the table.
“I just don’t see how we’re going to manage it financially.”
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The timing of the special meeting was important because the district is adding on to two schools — Forest Glen and Churchill. The district is currently discussing phase two of the project. Deciding whether or not to add the availability of full-day kindergarten could impact the project.
“I’m not sold on full-day,” board member Drew Elger said. “Maybe there is something in the middle. I think it is important to solve the gap.
“The moons need to align to make all of it work, and I don’t think we can do this the way we are configured now.”
Board members and Gordan agreed that they wanted to gauge the community on a number of points regarding all-day kindergarten. Among those points are whether they want an opt-in option, if they are willing to pay, and, if so, how much and to whom it would be offered. Staff at the district will work on figuring out the operation cost of full-day kindergarten, the space needed and how it might be offered. The board agreed to meet again in December to discuss the results.