District 205: Space needed to implement all-day kindergarten

Educators in Elmhurst Unit District 205 say a districtwide all-day kindergarten program would give students a head start, but the lack of needed classroom space might stop it from happening.

Administrators say long-term building improvements are needed to implement the program. Meanwhile, the district is pursing a community engagement process that will culminate with school board members deciding whether to pursue a referendum question for more funding.

"The community has expressed an interest in all-day kindergarten and has made it clear that it prefers the neighborhood school option over grade-level centers or a kindergarten center," Superintendent David Moyer said. "In order to accomplish that, the district needs more space."

The district sought feedback as part of its "Focus 205" process that began in September 2015 and included community engagement sessions, focus groups and an online survey. One take-away from the effort is broad support for all-day kindergarten.

Tuesday, members of District 205's all-day kindergarten committee said 21 of 33 school districts in DuPage County offer all-day programs.

"Elmhurst is becoming an outlier in the county and the state by not offering an all-day kindergarten option for students," said committee member Jane Bailey, who is the principal at Fischer Elementary School.

Committee member Jennifer Barnabee, the principal of Lincoln Elementary School, said all-day kindergarten provides the foundation for a "well-rounded, future-focused, world-class education."

"Research compiled by the National Education Association shows that full-day kindergarten, though initially more costly than half-day kindergarten, is worth the expense," said Barnabee, adding it boosts student academic achievement and improves social and emotional skills.

If District 205 had an all-day kindergarten program, teachers would have the time to improve learning experiences for students, committee members said.

"We have the curriculum and resources that we need," said Abby Udelhofen, a kindergarten teacher at Hawthorne and Jackson elementary schools. "What we are lacking is the time to educate students in a developmentally appropriate way."

Because more space is needed to implement the program, the district needs to make decisions about possible building projects.

District 205 has eight construction scenarios it will present to residents during a series of public meetings. Half the scenarios call for making basic building improvements and repairs.

But for all-day kindergarten, the district would have to make long-term building improvements with a future-ready focus. It also would need voter approval to borrow tens of millions of dollars. Some boundary changes also would be needed.

Depending on the work, it would cost of the owner of a $500,000 house an additional $51 to $149 a year in property taxes.

Officials said the most expensive scenario would cost $168.5 million and pay for comprehensive improvements to Lincoln, Field and Edison elementary schools.

Residents may review the construction scenarios at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at York High School; 7 p.m. Monday at Churchville Middle School; 7 p.m. May 23 at Bryan Middle School; and 7 p.m. May 30 at Sandburg Middle School.