Next Steps: All-Day Kindergarten in the St. Michael-Albertville School District

After the passage of the 2013 Education Finance Bill in May, St. Michael-Albertville Schools has been busy working to determine if all-day kindergarten could fit in the district. 

The bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor provides a funding formula for school districts throughout Minnesota for all-day kindergarten beginning in the 2015 fiscal year. 

Moving Forward

Currently, projections for the 2013-14 school year in STMA Schools includes approximately 415 students at Albertville Primary – a total of 22 kindergarten sections at the school. 

“A review of the existing space at Albertville Primary shows that there is adequate space to house up to additional sections of full day kindergarten, according to an STMA Schools all-day kindergarten study proposal. 

If the district moves ahead with the all-day kindergarten option, it could mean relocating the curriculum department, eliminating the Climber’s Program, moving the ECSE preschool to St. Michael Elementary and eliminating Kid’s Play during the day to make room for the additional kindergarten sections, according to the proposal. 

Staffing could also increase, such as additional teachers hired, instructional paraprofessionals and specialists. 

Other changes could include adding and changing a bus route, a full-time principal as well as additional furniture and curriculum cost. 

How Could All-Day Kindergarten Be Funded in the District?

Based on the 2013 Education Finance Bill funding, the all-day kindergarten study proposal indicated STMA Schools would receive approximately $877,050 in revenue with an enrollment of about 420 students. Expenses with staffing, curriculum, furniture and transportation are forecast to be close to $1.1 million dollars. Savings by eliminating the Climbers and mid-day bus route would save $109,534. The proposal stated the approximate cost to ISD 885 would be $95,315. 

What’s Next

The STMA School District School Board heard the framework for all-day kindergarten in the district at the Sept. 3 meeting. Information about the proposed plan is anticipated to be distributed to the community throughout September and October, according to the proposal. 

“While the final all-day kindergarten proposal has not been accepted by the board, the board did reach consensus agreeing to offer all-day kindergarten programming” at the beginning of the 2014 school year, according to the unapproved minutes from the Sept. 3 meeting.     

A full-day kindergarten information is session is expected to be held 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Albertville Primary Media Center for parents and community members. 

The STMA School District School Board will review the proposal Dec. 2 and could have a final approval Jan. 6, 2014. 

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