Full Day Kindergarten A Critical Need for Woonsocket’s Youngest Students
Giovanna Donoyan, PhD
Superintendent
Woonsocket Education Department
May 14,2014
We listened to our City residents
• Presented multiple proposals over the past months to restore Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) in Woonsocket
• Heard your concerns loud and clear about costs, capacity, and sustainability
• Worked with the Mayor’s Office and RIDE to address concerns
Comprehensive proposal
Tonight we present to the Woonsocket School Committee the most comprehensive FDK proposal that:
• Does not use the Middle School space
• Does not move to a 5/6 Academy model
• Does not increase local taxes
• Ensures a teacher assistant in each kindergarten classroom.
We are 100% confident that we have designed a proposal that will be acceptable to all parties and provides the best educational opportunity to our children.
• Too many of our children are falling behind
• 67% of Woonsocket K students are not reading at grade level
• 7-9% of Woonsocket First graders are being held back
• Research shows FDK classes can produce long-term educational gains, especially for low-income and minority students
What we know - educationally
% Students reading below grade level : Woonsocket 2011-12
K 1 2 3 Source:RI KIDS COUNT, May 2014
67% 53% 45% 43%
What we know- economically
•No additional local tax funding is needed to support FDK in Woonsocket
•FDK can help lower costly grade retention and remediation
•FDK in Woonsocket will result in more state education aid
Concerns addressed Facilities issues
• All children remain at elementary schools and safety issues addressed
• Capacity analysis shows adequate room per NESDEC enrollment analysis
Logistics• Bus and starting times not impacted• Breakfast / lunch programs are federally reimbursable
Staffing• 11 new teachers, itinerants, and 11 new Paraprofessionals
Budget
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18RevenueState Aid 768,047 1,182,190 1,874,939 2,600,317
Legislative Grants 510,000 - - -
IDEA Grant (Early Intervening Services) 330,702 305,928 - -
Title I Grant 78,136 81,952 - -
Total Revenue 1,686,885 1,570,070 1,874,939 2,600,317
ExpenseSalary and Fringe 1,480,335 1,455,414 1,546,582 1,802,343
Projected Substitutes 16,875 15,750 27,000 29,250
Art and Music Carts 3,600 - - -
Furniture 32,120 - - -
Instructional Supplies and Materials 76,734 23,079 24,402 25,382
Busing costs 42,300 44,415 46,636 48,968
Total Expense 1,651,964 1,538,658 1,644,620 1,905,943
Total Surplus (Revenue less Expense) 34,921 31,412 230,319 694,374
Total Projected Enrollment (NESDEC) 522 471 498 518
Full Day Kindergarten Budget FY15 - FY18