F ULL -D AY K INDERGARTEN Second Proposal

F ULL -D AY K B ACKGROUND Full day kindergarten has long been a goal in Chelmsford Public Schools. The most recent attempt at implementation was Reflected in recent survey and entry plan interviews. DESE reports that 298 of the 310 school districts serving kindergarten-aged children in the state offered at least one full- day kindergarten classroom. Of these, 216 offer full-day kindergarten district-wide and 74 offer it partially and maintain some half-day classrooms. 12 districts do not offer full-day kindergarten in Massachusetts. Chelmsford offers no opportunity for full day k

F ULL -D AY K B ACKGROUND 5-year Strategic Plan Developed in Spring of 2012 Strategic Obj. 1/Initiative 3: The district will develop the feasibility and potential framework for full day kindergarten for all. Kindergarten Feasibility Committee began in December 2012

G OAL Full Day K for All 8 sections at the Community Ed Building 2 Sections at each Elementary School No Capital Projects Needed

O RIGINAL P ROPOSAL 8 sections of full-day kindergarten at the fully functional Community Education building. 8 full-day kindergarten classrooms serving half the of the district’s kindergarten students. Maintain 6 existing preschool classrooms with room for enrollment fluctuation. Spaces for OT, Special Education, Art, Music, and Cafeteria/Food Service are included.

I NFORMATION G ATHERING School committee voted for administration to continue pursuing this proposal on September 13, Since then the following has been in done: DESE Grant Application approved for $40,000 Steering Committee assembled for transition plans Estimation of costs of implementing full-day K completed - $935,922 Shared information with BOS, Town Manager and Finance Committee. PD Day Work is ongoing. Summer Curriculum Writing scheduled for July

D ECISIONS Options: CPS goes forward with plans with FDK on its own. Can fund for 1 year. CPS implements less than all of the proposed classrooms and phases it in over number of years for no charge. CPS provides FDK for a fee and implements all proposed classrooms or phases it in over a number of years. The manner in which to finance Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) for all students for free in a sustainable way is not evident.

S ECOND P ROPOSAL Currently, there are 6 KCC classrooms at the Community Education building. This provides daycare/instruction for half-day kindergarten students. Parents currently pay $340 per month ($3,400 per year/10 months).

S ECOND P ROPOSAL Replace 6 K/CC classrooms with up to 6 FDK classrooms at the Community Education Building. CPS would charge $3500 for FDK Interested parents would sign up for a lottery for their children to participate. There would be no CPS transportation to the Community Education Building. Before and after school daycare would be provided as it is in all elementary schools.

S ECOND P ROPOSAL Community Education Building will become an Early Childhood Center servicing children from 18 months to age 6, potentially from 7AM – 6 PM. Under one roof: Lion’s Pride – daycare 18 months to age 5. Chips – Integrated Preschool program. FDK – Full-day kindergarten. CommEd – Before and after school daycare options. Integration of programming will happen to provide seamless, affordable options for parents.

P ROPOSAL A DVANTAGES Potential choice of which kindergarten concept was most appropriate for their child for parents, subject to availability. Families not opting, or unsuccessful at securing a spot for, FDK have our current half–day program in their home school as result. Parents who apply for FDK are most likely to have applied for K/CC, therefore, same cost. Less potential stress over having elementary age students in two buildings as parents would choose this option. Fees will cover most of the cost of implementation. CPS can conduct own research as to FDK effectiveness.

P ROPOSAL A DVANTAGES Uses existing school building, therefore no building projects and no major renovations would be required. Provides potential classroom space at each elementary school, resulting in opportunities to better meet current operational needs and builds capacity for accommodating future programming needs. Creates an opportunity for early childhood staff with like peers to engage in focused professional learning and collaboration. Provides flexibility in maintaining kindergarten class size recommendations. Leaves potential options open for all kindergarten classes at an early childhood center or back in home schools.

P ROPOSAL D ISADVANTAGES Parents will pay for FDK. Busing will not be provided with this option. FDK will not be available to all kindergarten students. Community Education office will relocate.

F ULL D AY K B UDGET P ROJECTIONS ItemCostStudentsTuition Potential Revenue One Time Grant Potential Recurring Grant Staffing $ 432, (20x6)$3,500$420,000 Furniture $ 13,329 Curric. & Assessment $ 44,322 $40,000 Transportation0 Kindergarten Cost$490,251$420,000$40,000 Budget Cost$30,251

S TAFFING C OSTS Additional NumberIndividual StaffDescriptionNeededCostTotal Cost Kind. TeachersLicensed Teacher 6 $ 47,000 $ 282,000 Kindergarten AidesInstructional/Lunch Support 3 $ 22,000 $ 66,000 SpecialistsProgramming/Schedule 1.3 $ 47,000 $ 61,100.3 Music (.2 existing).3 Computer (.2 existing).5 Guidance.5 Art.3 PE (.2 existing) Special Services.5 Special educator0.5 $ 47,000 $ 23,500 Total Staffing 11 $ 432,600 Potential Benefits Cost13$18,000$234,000

F URNITURE 3 Classrooms Needed ItemCostQuantityEach classroom3 Classrooms Classroom rug $ 6501 $ 1950 Large tables $ 2155 $1,075 $ 3225 Reading tables $ 3042 $ 608 $ 1824 Teacher desk $ 3671 $ 1101 Teacher chair $ 1041 $ 312 Student chairs $ 2325 $ 575 $ 1725 Bookshelves $ 1394 $ 556 $ 1668 Book display shelf $ 1571 $ 471 Play kitchen $ 1501 $ 450 Teacher file cabinet $ 2011 $ 603 Totals $ 4,443 $13,329

C URRICULUM 6 K Rooms Total ItemDescriptionCost Fountas & Pinnel KitsReading Instructional Levels/Benchmarks $ 450 $ 1,350 Journeys MaterialsReading Program for Kindergarten $ 5,000 $ 30,000 Math ExpressionsMath Program for Kindergarten* ($20K Comp.) $ 1,162$6,972 Classroom LibraryPurchase of Classroom Library Books $ 800 $ 4,800 Handwriting Without TearsWriting Program/Materials ** $ 200 $ 1,200 Other School Specific Itemssocial curriculum materials supplemental assessment/curriculum materials $500 $ 3,000 TOTAL CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT COSTS $44,322 *ASSUMES A 7% INCREASE FROM AN AUGUST QUOTE **MAY INLCUDE SOME CONSUMABLE COSTS

T RANSPORTATION No Changes

C OMMUNITY E DUCATION I MPACT Removing K/CC 2012/2013 School Year# Students# Staff# classes Revenue Expenses Salaries FY '13 Net Kindergarten Childcare806 $ 253,000 $ 35,875 $ 130,414 $ 86,710 Estimated K/CC health insurance 6 $ 18,000 $ 108,000 paid by ComEd Net loss to ComEd $ 21,290 Removing Community Ed Office CommEd Current14-15FY '14 Net Building Expenses * $ 66, * Fuel/Heat $ 10, Electric $ 33, Telephone $ 5, Copier $ 8, General Building Costs $ 8, Total $ 66,000.34

E NROLLMENT Oct. 1st enrollments Fiscal Yr. School YearPKK Total FY Fy Fy FY FY FY FY FY FY FY

Q UESTIONS ?