District 57 shelves all-day kindergarten -- for now

The Mount Prospect School District 57 board on Thursday decided to hold off on an all-day kindergarten pilot program for the next school year until it finishes its 5-year strategic plan due this spring.

The board listened to a steering committee report that looked into bringing full-day kindergarten to the district on a limited basis for kids at the Westbrook School for Young Learners where all of the district's kindergarten classes take place.

The committee stopped short of making any recommendations but did say it was possible, albeit ambitious, for the district to implement the pilot program involving two classes at Westbrook next fall.

Lois Andrews, assistant superintendent for curriculum, said any decision would have to be made quickly. "It's a great idea, but there are a whole lot of factors involved," Andrews said.

The program would charge some type of tuition, so the district would not have to incur additional costs. It would also be lottery-based, as there would probably not be enough spaces for everyone who wanted to try it, Andrews said.

Board members did not seem inclined to make a quick decision about the pilot program, especially since the district is still working on its five-year plan.

Board member Ann Hull said the district should concentrate on adding more teachers to lower class sizes before considering other programs like this.

While the program will not be in place next year, the board will likely revisit full-day kindergarten perhaps later in the year after the strategic plan is finished, said Superintendent Bruce Brown.

The steering committee looked at journal articles and surveys of other districts, and met with principals of full-day programs. The committee reported that 65 percent of kindergartners nationwide are in full-day programs. In Illinois, 57 percent of kindergarten classes are full-day. The committee told the board there are academic and social benefits of the program.

A parent survey of the district's incoming and current kindergartners in March showed that 67 percent of parents responding would like the district to offer full-day programs. About 37 percent said they were inclined to leave the district because it did not offer it. Forty-five percent said they aren't willing to pay for additional kindergarten time, but 32 percent said they'd be willing to pay fees up to $300 per month, and 11 percent said they'd pay more than $400.