On Tuesday night, the board approved an additional spending proposal that calls for $828,540 in general funds to be added to the 2019–2020 school year.
Full-day kindergarten has been part of the Moorestown Board of Education’s conversations for quite some time, but now it is wondering where the community stands. Having just approved a ballot question on the subject, it may find out soon enough.
Last Tuesday night, the board approved an additional spending proposal that calls for $828,540 in general funds to be added to the 2019–2020 school year. These taxes would be used for salaries and benefits for additional teaching staff members, curriculum and furnishings to implement a full-day kindergarten program.
Board member Jack Fairchild explained how the board arrived at the $828,540 figure. He said the current tuition-based, full-day program nets the district nearly $600,000 yearly, which is built into the current budget. In order to implement a tuition-free, full-day program, the district would need to add two full-time teachers and four paraprofessionals, which requires around $250,000 in salaries. Classroom supplies are estimated at around $30,000.
Superintendent Scott McCartney explained the proposal had to be put forth at the March board meeting because it relates directly to the budget. The proposal has to be submitted to executive county superintendent of schools for approval. Once approved, the board can decide to forgo asking the ballot question up to 60 days prior to a vote.
The district’s larger discussion surrounding reconfiguring grade levels and constructing additional classrooms would involve a second ballot question. Given that these larger costs would have to be bonded and paid over an extended period of time, that question does not have to be submitted with the 2019–2020 budget and can be added at a later date.
The proposal sparked robust discussion among the board. Board member Mark Villanueva expressed his reservations about asking taxpayers for an additional 1.3 percent tax increase. He said while he sees the value in full-day kindergarten, he thinks it’s a lot to ask of residents.
“I think we’ve got so many other programs in town that also need attention and funding, and I think this is an awful lot of money to commit year over year to kindergarten,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva said earlier in the school year, the district surveyed the community as part of the strategic planning process. The survey asked residents about their priorities for the district. Only 7 percent of those surveyed indicated that full-day kindergarten as a priority.
Board member Maurice Weeks said he sees full-day kindergarten as an investment.
“I think the value is that it provides a better start, a better base of instruction for our students,” Weeks said. “If we’re working off a better base, we’re having to intervene less as students get older.”
Weeks said when students don’t have a strong foundation, they need more support as they progress through the school system. He said while the general population is going down, the special education population is rising and costing the district more money each year. He said he views full-day kindergarten as an earlier means of intervention for those who need that extra help.
McCartney said while only 7 percent of the community ranked full-day kindergarten has a high priority, almost 100 percent of the district’s kindergarten teachers consider it a priority.
Board member Lauren Romano clarified that just because the board passes the proposal tonight, does not lock it into putting the question on the ballot. She said the proposal simply gives them the option to do so.
McCartney also explained that if this were to pass as an isolated measure without a second referendum question, they would have to dissolve classroom space (most likely a computer lab) and turn it into a classroom to accommodate the kindergartners.
Ultimately, the proposal passed in a 7–2 vote, with Villanueva and fellow board member Tinamarie Nicolo-Dorfner voting “no” and the remaining five board members voting “yes.” The board is still engaged in discussions surrounding a potential $21 million bond referendum, which would finance adding classrooms to William Allen Middle School to make space for additional students should the district chose to restructure the current building grade levels.
The next meeting of the Moorestown Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at William Allen Middle School.
