North Branford Board of Ed Approves Full-Day Kindergarten

As the 2011-12 school year is winding down, the 2012-13 school year has been up in the air for those with students entering kindergarten as North Branford and Northford residents waited to see whether full-day kindergarten would be instated.

Plans for full-day kindergarten were presented when the Board of Education began its budget process. with many speaking in support of full-day kindergarten.

While the town has held fast to its zero percent increase budget to keep the mill rate at 27.77 percent, at its last meeting, the Board of Education gave the school district "approval to proceed with the planning and implementation of full-day kindergarten for the 2012/2013 year," according to a letter sent home to parents from Superintendent Scott Schoonaker.

The letter stated that in order to accomodate the full-day kindergarten, the plan remains to reassign one 1st-grade and one 2nd-grade teacher to kindergarten. When the plan was presented to the Town Council, Schoonmaker said it will slightly increase class sizes,

Schoonmaker went on to say that the decision was "not an easy one and there will be an impact on other schools in the district." Though there are some scheduled staff retirements and resignations, the letter said, "Other positions will likely be eliminated or reduced as well, and other cost-saving measures will also be required."

The Board of Education's final approval of the budget reduction plan will occur in June. The full letter from the superintendent is attached. 

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