Integrated Preschool, Full-Day Kindergarten Recommended in Granby

A committee that studied the feasibility of an integrated preschool and full-day kindergarten program in Granby made the recommendation to the Board of Education that both be implemented on Wednesday evening. 

Two subcommittees studied the topic, one researching the kindergarten program and the other looking at the preschool program, over the course of a year, and included Board of Education members, administrators, parents, staff and community members. 

The recommended integrated preschool program would service the needs of special needs students and integrate non-disabled peers, for a 50/50 enrollment ratio. 

Survey results for the preschool program showed that 91 percent of the respondents would consider a public preschool program in town, with most opting for a five-day program with tuition ranging from $1,000-3,000. 

The subcommittee’s recommendation was to implement a multi-aged, 3- and 4-year-old integrated preschool program in 2012-13, with one a.m. and one p.m. session for 2.5 hours, four days per week, with the fifth day being "TEAM Day." The maximum class size would be 15 students, and the tuition would be $1,500. 

“The draw is you are in your community,” Director of Pupil Personnel Services Aimee Martin, said of the perks of the program. 

Staffing for the program would include one dual-certified teacher, and support staff, and be located at Kearns. 

The net cost of the program would be $299,848, with predicted net savings in year one of $8,954 and an ongoing annual net savings of $53,802. 

In terms of the full-day kindergarten program, survey and interview results showed that about 80 percent of the respondents would consider the program, and 25 percent of the people who chose to leave comments spoke in favor of the program. 

“The more research we did, the more visitations we conducted, the more we looked at the advantages of the all-day kindergarten, it seemed the way to go,” said Eileen Swan, a parent on the committee. 

The subcommittee’s recommendation called for the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program for all in 2012-13 with seven classrooms for seven full-day sessions. Class sizes would be 16 students. 

Staffing would include seven certified teachers and seven teaching assistants to be located at Kearns. 

The proposed kindergarten program’s total net cost would be $741,305. 

“The community felt very strongly [of the program],” said Diane Dugas, director of curriculum. 

No decisions were made on the committee's presentation at the Board of Education meeting Wednesday. The topic will be addressed again at a later date. 

“We appreciate the works thats been done and we will give it due consideration,” said Board of Education Chair Cal Heminway.