Canton to Fall Behind? : Full Day Kindergarten Left Out of the Proposed Budget

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