Arlington Heights Dist. 25 considers all-day kindergarten for some

All-day kindergarten for children who need extra help would be valuable enough to make the red tape of federal funding worthwhile, the board of Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 heard Thursday.

The board will vote in October whether to apply for $146,000 in Title I funds as recommended by the administration.

While the amount of the funds is based on the number of children whose family income qualifies them for reduced-price lunches, all children at academic risk are eligible for the class, said Dale Truding, assistant superintendent, student learning.

District 25 often does not apply for Title I funds because the federal requirements and administrative effort are not considered worth it, said Superintendent Sarah Jerome.

Morning kindergarten students from Westgate, Ivy and Windsor would be bused to the afternoon program, said Truding. These three schools show the largest populations of children eligible for the reduced-price lunches, she said.

The board will also approve the $68.5 million budget for 2010-2011 at the October meeting. The district will need reserves totaling 67 percent of the budget to operate without borrowing until property taxes are received, said Stacey Mallek, assistant superintendent of business. The district's reserves total $51.3 million or 75 percent of its budget. Usually the district receives the tax money in the fall, but this year it is expected Feb. 1, she said.

The budget calls for no increase in the amount paid to certified staff. The district is negotiating with the Arlington Teachers Association for a new contract. Both sides would only say that negotiations are progressing.