Space issue soon conquered for all-day kindergarten,
district cautious about funding hurdle ahead

Mustang Public Schools is one step closer to providing full-day kindergarten, thanks to the patrons’ support of the bond issue in April. Included in the issue is the construction of several new classrooms at Mustang Creek Elementary. Creek was the only school with no room to begin the program.

Bonnie Lightfoot, superintendent, said construction of those classrooms will begin in the first phase of bond construction, enabling the district to implement full-day kindergarten in the 2010-2011 school year.

Although the district will have enough classroom space available for the program in little more than a year, district officials are carefully watching the horizon for yearly funding for the program. Kay Medcalf, MPS chief financial officer, said the state’s funding formula does not double the amount of money the district receives when a full-day program replaces a half-day program. Twice as many kindergarten teachers and classrooms are required for a full-day program. Other school services, such as child nutrition and transportation, see demand and cost increases as well.

The district has been making provisions for start-up costs that come with implementing a program of this size. In the 2007-2008 school year, the district began setting money aside for full-day kindergarten. In December 2007, Mustang Public Schools earmarked $200,000. By adding funds from lapsed appropriations, surplus collections and closed budgets, the district finished the 2007-2008 school year with $400,000 in hand for the program. At the end of this fiscal year, the district will have more than $600,000 set aside.

“The district will continue to work toward setting aside $1.0 to $1.2 million dollars for the initial start-up of full-day kindergarten. This will defray the initial cost, not the recurring costs associated with staffing. It will be a good start toward a great program,” Medcalf said.

Lightfoot said the district will do what is necessary to overcome the funding shortages for the program.

“School districts have grown accustomed to compensating for partially-funded programs and unfunded mandates,” she said. “What’s most important about full-day kindergarten is that it’s beneficial for the children.”

The district has a committee in place that is reviewing the curriculum and other elements necessary for a transition from a half-day program to a full-day program. By the time the program is projected to start in August 2010, the district will be ready, Lightfoot said.

“When we open the program, we will be able to provide every family within the district with the same opportunity for full-day kindergarten,” Lightfoot said. “We will continue working throughout the 2009-2010 school year to ensure our new program is one of the best in the state.”