Authors note: The third and final
paragraph is an editorial, if you’d rather not hear my opinion just read the
first two paragraphs.
Last
night, the Board of Education had on their plates the least savory of all
topics: the budget. Yet, with a sum of $25,295,533.86
being proposed, it is not something that can be pushed off to the side. Present
at this meeting was a contingent of parents whose primary concern was a tuition
change for the full day Kindergarten program.
Their position was compiled based on personal experience, the talk of
the town, other districts, and some reviewing of the budget from previous
years. Upon not seeing the $120,000 line
item necessary to fund the full day kindergarten at CBPS included in the
proposal, the parents were visibly upset and took the opportunity to orate
their grievances at the end of Superintendent Kevin Case’s proposed budget. A parent highlighted that Canton views itself
as a lighthouse district, a leader to other school systems around the state and
the country. She also stressed that the “ability to attend full day kindergarten
should not be based on income” as this fee does not show the forward thinking
Canton embraces. Another parent voiced
concerns that “there are not fees for Honors, AP and other courses and courses
at the High School so there should not be a charge for extended day.” The parents also began questioning from
a different angle, requesting more disclosure on grant money spending from
open choice programs, concerned that if money could be spent on new technology,
then money could also be spent on kindergarten students.
The real reason why this was a concern to parents at all is the fear
that those that cannot afford, or do not attend, full day kindergarten will be
at a disadvantage to those who do. The
parents believe that a decision like this divides the haves and have-nots. Education of children falls at the top of the
list for what most parents want for their child. Canton is a town whose middle
and high school has been recognized many times for their achievements, however, parents
who attended this open Board of Education meeting, (as all are free to
attend) did not feel that their desires were being met. One mother, citing a discussion she had with
her child's teacher expressed that “she has to spend more time with her kid, so she
doesn’t fall behind.” This fear of falling behind was the main driver of the parental
presence Tuesday night.
These
questions and concerns did not go unanswered; each was met by Superintendent
Case. The mission of the Canton Public Schools begins with “ The Canton Public
Schools unite with families and the community to provide challenging educational
experiences and opportunities that develop the intellectual, physical, social,
and emotional potential of our students.” Mr. Case stood by this mission that CBPS and all
Canton schools strive to bring out the best in each student and ensure a good
education is received by each and every student, regardless of whether the pupil is in half-day or full-day kindergarten.
He also specified that there is a process to waive the tuition for
families applying for full-day kindergarten who are deemed unable to pay, making
the opportunity available to all, regardless of income. To the concern that there were no fees at
higher level courses, he replied that there are fees for some classes, “not as
much as extended day, but unfortunately students do need to pay for offerings
beyond what is in the budget.” Most
importantly, Case reiterated that Canton provides an outstanding education, and
that the decision to not offer tuition-free kindergarten hinges on three main
points. First, that philosophically, some parents do not want to send their
children to full day kindergarten. Second, that it is a large line item
($120,000 is no small sum), and lastly, that Cherry Brook Primary School does not have
the space available to facilitate all students in a full-day program. It is obvious that this has not been an easy decision
for the Superintendent, but it has been a well thought out one, as with all
budgetary decision in his 10 page proposed budget. He will be making stops
around town to discuss his budget and more information will be at the bottom of
this article so you can be informed.
From
my personal perspective, I am concerned by the parent’s pressure on Mr. Case to
provide full day Kindergarten free of cost. I acknowledge that our school
systems were probably a main factor in their decision to live here, and most
likely, parents paid a financial sacrifice to live here, and continue to pay as
tax season rolls around every year. The decision
at hand is not just a financial one, but it encompasses much more; even more
than perhaps what Mr. Case implied in his three main points. I am a product of
half-day kindergarten, and I believe I turned out okay. I don’t have a problem
with parents wanting their children to do better, and some teachers have found
extended day to increase student achievement. I do have a problem
with some of the reasoning behind their arguments. When one parent said that by
not having their child in school they were forced to spend more time with their
child in order to keep their child with their peers, I was shocked. First,
this is Kindergarten, not a group of students jockeying for a spot at a top
college; and secondly, needing to spend time with your child is not a problem.
When I was younger, my father read to me every single night from when I was a
baby to the fifth grade, or so. It is no accident how successful students are
created. Even full day Kindergarten is only 6 hours, and that leaves at least another
8 hours of waking time that a student spends outside of school. Parents are
teachers. The Board of Education and the town as a whole continues to support
this idea by funding CPAT every year. This past summer I was at a soccer camp
where I met a boy from a Scandinavian country, a country that outperforms the US
in education ratings every year. He told me that he and his classmates didn’t
begin formal schooling until he was 8. If this is the case, it appears that
giving students in-school time, as much as possible as early as possible, may not
be the key to success, as previously suggested. Full day kindergarten should not just be
implemented for financial reasons to become some sort of glorified day care.
The pros and cons must be thoroughly weighed before a decision is made. The biggest impact can begin at home, instead
of an attitude that every child must meet certain standards or risk falling
behind. Let’s take action and nurture every child at home, not because they need
to be on par, but because we want what is best for them. Let's turn the world into
their classroom and inspire learning in everything, whether it is replacing
bedtime TV shows with bedtime stories or turning off Kiss 95.7 and tuning into
National Public Radio; take every opportunity possible. It has been decided
that for now, full day Kindergarten is not in Canton’s future. Why don’t we
leave the Education policy making to the professionals and make the most of the
situation at hand.
- Justin Fortier Senior Canton High School
Budget Details can be found at:
http://www.cantonschools.org/budget.shtml
2/27 - 7:00 p.m. Special Board of Education Meeting – Public Budget Hearing
- Justin Fortier Senior Canton High School
Budget Details can be found at:
http://www.cantonschools.org/budget.shtml
2/27 - 7:00 p.m. Special Board of Education Meeting – Public Budget Hearing
