Andover School Committee To Vote On Free All-Day Kindergarten

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover school committee will be voting Thursday on a proposal to move to free full-day kindergarten in the district. The proposal, which school officials have discussed with the selectmen and finance committee as well, would not cost the town any money, as state subsidies would increase in response to the move. Currently, the district only offers free half-day kindergarten, and charges $3,575 for full-day kindergarten.

The proposal was discussed at the Tri-Board meeting, with the select, school and finance committees, Dec. 11. Under the district's proposal, with free full-day kindergarten, the district would receive more Chapter 70 education funding from the state, with the increase roughly equal to the current tuition revenue. While there would be a gap year between the phase-out of tuition and the increase in state aide, that year could be covered using the remaining balance from the full-day kindergarten revolving account.

The gap is because chapter 70 funding is based on the previous year's numbers. At their presentation to the select board, Superintendent Sheldon Berman and School Committee Member Shannon Scully explained that while all costs would be offset to the state, the operating budget will increase about a million dollars as a result of the change. The state offset would have to be clearly explained, Scully said.

School committee chair Joel Blumstein confirmed that the committee plans to discuss and vote on the proposal Thursday.

The district has reduced kindergarten tuition costs for the last three years.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker.