Sunday, April 18, 1999

Legislators say state will pay schools' tab

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Kindergarten won't cost more

BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        After much fuss, fury and speculation about whether the state might mandate all-day kindergarten, Northern Kentucky legislators say whatever happens, it won't come without funding.

        “I would think that if we're going to expand those services, it's reasonable to expect the state to pay for it,” said Sen. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas. “It's unreasonable to ask the schools to pay that kind of money.”

        If the state were to fund such a project, it would cost an estimated $80 million, said Tom Willis, an associate commissioner at the Education Department. Only half-day kindergarten is now funded.

        Some Northern Kentucky superintendents said at a meeting last week that they're worried the General Assembly that meets in January will force them to implement expensive programs and expect the schools to pick up the tab.

        “We've had that happen repeatedly in education,” said Kenton County Superin tendent Neil Stiegelmeyer.

        Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills, said he agrees with educators that the legislature shouldn't pass anything it can't fund.

        “Historically they've done stuff like that, but (full-day kindergarten) is too big of an issue. It might put some schools in the red.”

        But money isn't the only issue. Space is another.

        Mr. Willis said that after the issue was discussed at an interim education committee meeting April 5, he sent out a survey to about 75 districts that don't offer full-day kindergarten.

        “About a third of those who responded said they didn't have space or at least would have a problem with space the first year,” he said.

        Although no bill has been drafted, some say the option for all-day kindergarten is a natural step because the governor's early childhood program, for children from birth to age 3, started this year.

        “I think it's a logical bridge because I'd say 98 percent of our kids have been in some kind of preschool program,” said Johnson Elementary School Principal Clay Beekley.

        Johnson Elementary is one of the few elementary schools in Northern Ken tucky that offer full-day kindergarten, but parents have to pay $2,000 per year, per child, for the service.

        Although Mr. Beekley has been a proponent of all-day kindergarten for many years, he said he'd rather see the money used for other things.

        “Money for education is so scarce and the pie is so big,” he said. “I would much rather see us lower class size in primary grades. When you look at scarcity of money, you need to make priorities.”

        Just as educators have mixed feelings about all-day kindergarten, so do parents.

        Kathy Heidorn of Fort Thomas, said she signed her 6-year-old up for the program at Johnson Elementary after she was offered a job.

        “For me, it works out perfect,” she said. “And the half-day program is only three hours. They do so much more in the all-day program.

        “... Olivia will be better prepared for first grade.”

        But for Michael Lewis of Fort Thomas, who is a stay-at-home dad, he said his family's choice was to send his son Jason to the half-day program last year.

        “We get a lot of chances to go to the zoo and do other things we don't get to do otherwise,” he said.

       

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