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Full-day kindergarten costs to rise in Framingham Wednesday, December 17, 2008

John Hilliard 508-626-4449 Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM -- Local families could pay up to $700 more for an all-day kindergarten class after the School Committee last night voted to increase the program's tuition.
The maximum cost for a family to send a child to an all-day kindergarten class will rise from $2,800 to $3,500 beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, but officials say the hike was needed to help generate about $950,000 toward the cost of teacher salaries.
Even with the fee hike, Superintendent Gene Thayer said they expect to generate close to $937,000, which means they'll have to look to other sources to cover the remaining salary costs.
Not every family will pay the $3,500 maximum, as the program's tuition is based on a family's ability to pay. Board Vice Chairman David Miles said "one in three" families now pay nothing for all-day kindergarten, and about 60 percent of families pay less than $1,000.
The board made the decision earlier than usual to allow the district to work with families to determine how many will enroll their kids in either full-day or half-day kindergarten. Currently, about 80 percent of the town's kindergartners attend a full-day class.
The School Committee voted 4-1-1 in favor of the measure. Board member Andy Limeri was the sole vote against the measure, and member Beverly Hugo abstained. Board member Diane Throop was not at last night's meeting.
The schools already get an $437,000 all-day kindergarten grant from the state, but that money is used to hire part-time aides for each of the classes.
Former Town Meeting member and past School Committee candidate Rick Finlay argued against the fee hike, as he expects to put his daughter into kindergarten next year.
"My main concern is I think that's quite a significant jump," he said.
In other business, Chairman Phil Dinsky announced that semi-finalists have been chosen for the superintendent's position by the school board's search committee.
But the names of the semi-finalists will not be released until Friday, which gives those officials time to notify their home districts that they are candidates for the Framingham post, he said. The School Committee will conduct public interviews next month, hold public forums with the candidates and expect to select the next superintendent by early February, he said.

Full-day kindergarten costs to rise in Framingham	Wednesday, December 17, 2008
John Hilliard 508-626-4449	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM -- Local families could pay up to $700 more for an all-day kindergarten class after the School Committee last night voted to increase the program's tuition. The maximum cost for a family to send a child to an all-day kindergarten class will rise from $2,800 to $3,500 beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, but officials say the hike was needed to help generate about $950,000 toward the cost of teacher salaries. Even with the fee hike, Superintendent Gene Thayer said they expect to generate close to $937,000, which means they'll have to look to other sources to cover the remaining salary costs. Not every family will pay the $3,500 maximum, as the program's tuition is based on a family's ability to pay. Board Vice Chairman David Miles said "one in three" families now pay nothing for all-day kindergarten, and about 60 percent of families pay less than $1,000. The board made the decision earlier than usual to allow the district to work with families to determine how many will enroll their kids in either full-day or half-day kindergarten. Currently, about 80 percent of the town's kindergartners attend a full-day class. The School Committee voted 4-1-1 in favor of the measure. Board member Andy Limeri was the sole vote against the measure, and member Beverly Hugo abstained. Board member Diane Throop was not at last night's meeting. The schools already get an $437,000 all-day kindergarten grant from the state, but that money is used to hire part-time aides for each of the classes. Former Town Meeting member and past School Committee candidate Rick Finlay argued against the fee hike, as he expects to put his daughter into kindergarten next year. "My main concern is I think that's quite a significant jump," he said. In other business, Chairman Phil Dinsky announced that semi-finalists have been chosen for the superintendent's position by the school board's search committee. But the names of the semi-finalists will not be released until Friday, which gives those officials time to notify their home districts that they are candidates for the Framingham post, he said. The School Committee will conduct public interviews next month, hold public forums with the candidates and expect to select the next superintendent by early February, he said.

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