Final Approval Given for All-Day Kindergarten in Sept.
• Announcement Made Today; July 12th Meeting Cancelled
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Superintendent Joseph Zarra with Assistant Superintendent Mariana Francioso who oversaw the development of curriculum for an all-day kindergarten in Nutley schools. Mrs. Francioso announced last night that she will be retiring October 1, 2010. She has been with with the Nutley school system for the past 31 years.
Jun 29, 2010 – "It's final: Nutley will have an all-day kindergarten starting this September," Board of Education President Ken Reilly announced this morning (Thursday.)
Reilly and other school officials including Superintendent Joseph Zarra and Business Administrator Karen A. Yeamans met yesterday with the Essex County Schools Superintendent who gave the final approval to proceed.
"We've been told officially that we're all set - that everything is okay for us to move forward," Reilly told NJHometown.com today.
A short meeting ("15 minutes at the most") has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. this coming Tuesday, July 6 to ratify various documents associated with the project. Reilly said there's no need for parents to attend that session - "it's simply to get the paperwork in motion," he said.
"We don't want to miss a day as we'll be doing work in six schools simultaneously. Every day is critial if were are to open school on time in September," Reilly said.
In addition to reconfiguring several rooms within the schools to accommodate the all-day kindergarten classes, the board this summer will also be overseeing the abatement of asbestos discovered in the base of boilers and piping at the Yantacaw School. Asbestos abatement at both the high school and Spring Garden school is also scheduled this summer. The Nutley Board of Education approved $52,000 for the abatement work at its June 28 meeting and awarded the contract to the Spiezle Architectural Group Inc.
Use of Trailers A Possibility
The board last Monday (6/29) also discussed the possibility of acquiring additional trailers for classrooms and converting some office space to accommodate the all-day program. The trailers, if purchased, would not be used as kindergarten classroom space but instead would be utilitzed as a space for rotating groups of pupils such as for art classes for all elementary grade levels.
Superintendent Joseph Zarra said the curriculum for an all-day kindergarten was developed two years ago under the direction of Assistant Superintendent Mariana Francioso. The curriculum has been updated and is ready for implementation on an all-day basis.
"My concern now is the work needed inside the buildings. We have eight weeks to complete the physical work and be ready for September," Zarra said. He also expressed concern on how state budget restraints might affect funding for the 2011-12 school year.
Funding for the all-day kindergarten program in September became possible by the unexpected large number of late retirements by teachers. Zarra said he expected "three or four late retirements but that number turned into 24.
"We're trying to bring back some staff but we're also keeping in mind the needed funding for the kindergarten program. Right now we have $215,000 for the all-day kindergarten," the superintendent said.
"I'm hopeful all aspects of our plan will move ahead smoothly. I have the letters all written and ready to mail to homes with pre-registered kindergartners," Zarra said at the June 21 meeting.
"There is very little wiggle room," Business Administrator Karen A. Yeamans said.
"Most of our concern will be getting all the rooms ready and available by September. This is our priority and this work will be done by our own personnel in order to keep costs down."
"We are going to be very mindful of every expenditure we make," Yeamans said.
Still being worked on are such items as greater use of gymnasiums during the lunch period, the availability of additional desks and chairs and the possibility of converting office space and other areas into classrooms.
Transportation is not an issue as the kindergarten program will be offered in all five elementary schools and within safe walking distances for younger children.
All nine board members expressed both support and concern about the move toward an all-day kindergarten program. Here is a sample of remarks expressed last night:
* Board President Ken Reilly -- Yes, year two is currently undefined. I called every board board member and said we would discuss these problem tonight. The concerns are many. It's an expensive program. that will take us to the bone financially. But I personally believe this can be done with fiscal responsibility. This is a program that is long overdue in Nutley (the audience applauded.) We are socially responsible and we are academically responsible. The boars spent a lot of time over the weekend discussing this matter.
* Charles Kucinski -- I am certainly in favor of moving ahead. I realize the board wants this. The teachers and the administrators who have spent the time to put the steps together also strongly favor this program. The curriculum is already done and the rooms are already there in the schools and ready to be reconfigured if necessary. And now we know the finances are there as well.
* Dr. Robert Reid -- I am cautiously optimistic. My primary concern at this point is with the logistics.
* Mrs. Debbie Russo -- She expressed concern with the availability of facilities. "Class size in the high school in increasing and all classes there are bit larger. Available space is an issue as there is not one unoccupied classroom in the course of the day at the high school.
* Walter Sauter -- He wondered about parents who might want to continue with half-day sessions so as to be able to spend more time at home with their children. He learned, however, that kindergarten classes would be mandatory on an all-day basis. "Maybe that won't be so bad. It might encourage families with young people to move into the town."
* Steven Rogers -- "We made a promise to the people of Nutley that if the budget passed, we would have an all day kindergarten. We should honor that promise."
* James Kuchta: "The ability to sustain the program is an issue in my mind – the sustainability of an all-day kindergarten considering the climate in Trenton, especially in a second year with teacher salaries expected to be up another 4 percent. If that happens we couldn't sustain an all-day kindergarten."
* Tom Sposato: "My primary concern is with the logistics in getting ready and with the funding with (only) $215,000. But yes, I am in favor of the all day program."
