Dist. 103 kindergarten pilot program expanded

Lincolnshire-Prairie View Elementary District 103 will expand its full-day kindergarten pilot program and will begin registration next month to join full-day and half-day classes.

Under a proposal approved by the board Wednesday night, Sprague Elementary School will open a maximum of seven classrooms to its kindergarten program.

The half-day program will feature a minimum of one morning and one afternoon classroom.

Each classroom will be open to a maximum of 20 students. The same class size guideline will be used for the half-day program and full-day program.

Registration will open Feb. 15 to enroll in the kindergarten program and will close March 14.

District 103 created the pilot program this year to look at a full-day kindergarten program, which was part of the district's Vision 2010 long-range plan.

This year, Sprague offered two full-day kindergarten classes with 22 students in each class. The cost to join the pilot program was $3,500.

"Expanding the pilot program to allow more children to participate in the full-day program is good," board member Gary Gordon said.

Tuition to join the full-day kindergarten next year will be $3,200 per student. Federal programs and district programs will be available to assist families who may wish to enroll their child but may have difficulties financially.

Board member Ben Yomtoob said he would like to see every child experience what they desire, whether it be a full- or half-day program. He said he believes this is something optional. Many taxpayers feel their dollars should go toward the core programs.

Because the district is a flat grant district and receives $218 per child, the district cannot afford to run a full-day program.

Residents who filled the board room voiced approval in the administration, teachers and students who have researched the program and have given positive feedback for the pilot program.

Many asked the board to trust the statistics they are being given by the administration and do what they think is best for the students.

"I assure you this board has only the best interest for the children in this district," board President David Panitch said. "We will do everything we can to keep the community involved and make sure we do the right thing for kids of this district."