MUKILTEO — In a money-saving move, the Mukilteo School District could change its kindergarten schedule next fall to an every-other-day, full-day program.
Or it could keep the status quo — the half-day, every-day classes each morning and afternoon that have been in place for more than 20 years — and look for savings elsewhere.
A committee of principals, teachers, administrators and parents has studied several options. Its report, which does not include recommendations, is in the hands of the school board, which will get a briefing tonight.
Last year, the school district had to cut $1 million from its budget. At the time, it decided there was not enough time to make a decision before the fall but agreed to examine the issue this year.
"The bottom line is we will probably have to trim the budget again this year," said Andy Muntz, a school district spokesman. How much is unknown.
The district estimates it could save $195,000 a year by eliminating midday bus runs for half-day kindergarten. It would have to pick up some other costs, such as increased supervision during lunch and recess. Even so, the committee projects a $150,000 annual savings after the first year.
Of concern to the committee was whether the change to alternating days would affect academic progress of kindergarten students. It couldn’t find any recent research on it, although there is research that shows higher academic achievement for kindergarteners enrolled in full-day, everyday programs.
"With appropriate planning, we are going to be able to make any schedule successful," said Marcia Morrison, the district’s director of elementary education.
The committee studied more than 15 kindergarten schedules in districts from Blaine to Shoreline, including several in Snohomish County.
Eight districts have morning and afternoon half-day programs while seven had alternating day, full-day programs. Most districts also had a full-day everyday kindergarten option with, in many cases, parents picking up the tuition for the extra half-day of instruction.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
The Mukilteo School Board will study whether to change the district’s kindergarten schedule beginning next fall to an every-other-day, full-day program. It will get a briefing but board members won’t make a decision at a meeting beginning at 6:30 tonight at the school district office, 9401 Sharon Drive.
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