Bloomfield Hills Schools Mulls All-Day Kindergarten

The Bloomfield Hills School Board of Education is poised to implement all-day kindergarten in every elementary school beginning next fall.

Laurie McCarty, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, recommended the board approve the change from half-day during a presentation at Thursday night's board meeting, with a caveat. Since many parents expressed concerns about their children not being ready for full-day instruction, McCarty also recommended having at least one section of kindergarten available for just a three-hour day. The best option, in terms of available space, is at Fox Hills, which currently houses the district's Bloomin' Tots Pre-school, at 1661 Hunters Ridge Drive.

"We have the space to accommodate a program if parents will provide transportation," McCarty said. She estimated at least 15 students would be needed to fill a half-day class, and that the district can add a second class in the afternoon if there is high demand.

Eighteen of 26 school districts in the county have already implemented full-day kindergarten programs or committed to do so, McCarty said. Many did so recently as the State Legislature tied per-pupil funding to the actual number of hours that student is in school. The district would lose $1.7 million in state funding by having all kindergarten remain half-day.

McCarty, who said she studied the issue for months with officials from Oakland Schools, also explained the district would need to spend roughly $914,400 to hire the additional full-time teachers, full-time para-educators, and supplies needed to implement the change.

Though a formal vote isn't scheduled until their next meeting on Feb. 2, multiple board members spoke in favor of the switch.

Board Treasurer Cynthia von Oeyen said she was a strong advocate of half-day kindergarten when her children were that age. However, she's changed her mind.

"The brain research in the last 20 years has taught us about the importance of capturing and developing those minds when they're young," she said.

No members of the public addressed the board on the issue Thursday.