Full day K on the way.

Byline: Michael Kane

WEST BOYLSTON - The School Committee approved a plan to offer tuition-based full-day kindergarten at Major Edwards Elementary School next year.

According to Principal Thomas Caruso and Superintendent Thomas Kane, the idea is a long time coming.

"Why am I advocating for it? I no longer need to explain that," Kane told School Committee members last week.

Research has long shown that early childhood education, especially for at-risk students, creates a strong foundation that carries over into higher grades, Kane said.

Caruso echoed those sentiments.

"It will be better for our kids, not only in the kindergarten year, but as the research shows, as the students move forward," Caruso said.

While Caruso said parents have frequently requested full-day kindergarten in the past, Kane said the district has been hampered from offering it by two things: available space and money.

Declining birth rates solve the space issue, at least for the immediate future, and tuition solves the second, Kane said.

"We're seeing a trend in declining numbers," Kane said. "As I see, we'll have the space for the foreseeable future."

According to a "frequently asked questions" sheet provided by Caruso, curriculum will be the same for full-day and half-day students. However, full-day classes will allow students to have more time to take in what they have learned and more time to explore topics, enhancing the overall student experience.

Though parent surveys have shown a split on the willingness to pay tuition, Kane said many of the surrounding communities charge tuition for full-day kindergarten. Half-day is required by law, and therefore districts cannot charge for it.

"I think it is consistent with the practices (of other districts) in the area," Kane said.

The $3,000 tuition - payable in monthly installments beginning in August - would cover the increased half-day salary for the teachers, Caruso said. And, the school could handle the situation if every kindergarten parent wanted to sign up, he said.

Ultimately, Caruso said he would prefer all kindergarten students take part in a full-day program. Some parents, however, think it is too early for their children to have a full day of school.

It is possible that the program could even save the district money, Kane noted. There are now two buses for kindergarten students because of the afternoon and morning sessions. If a large number sign up for full-day classes, one bus route could be eliminated, but it is too early to say for sure without definitive enrollment numbers, Kane said.

Caruso planned on unveiling the new program for parents this week, during kindergarten registration that took place Tuesday and Wednesday, after The Banner went to press.

In addition, Caruso is offering three information sessions next week to answer questions parents may have. They are scheduled for: Monday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 9 a.m.

A non-fundable payment is due by April 1 to reserve a full-day spot.

Kane said tuition assistance is available to qualifying families, based on the free and reduced lunch criteria.

Families who are eligible for free lunch could request a tuition waiver. Families who are eligible for reduced lunch would have the tuition halved to $1,500.

Proof of residency is required, and Kane said he cannot say whether school choice would be offered yet to students from out of town. Approval of school choice is typically handled as an action item of the School Committee later in the year, once estimated enrollments for West Boylston students can be established.

"We're excited about it," Caruso said. "We think this is the perfect time to offer."