Most Kindergarten programs in Prairie Rose School Division will be offering shorter hours next school year, after trustees voted last Tuesday to cut hours to balance financial constraints.
"This has been very challenging. Government has been pushing to 475 hours for Kindergarten and there is some urgency for a decision to be made," said Superintendent Doug Nicholls
"It is about balancing the benefits with the financial realities.Our administrators, including those who do not have Kindergarten programs in their schools are highly supportive of the full-time program and we hope Alberta Education will review this. We have heard a consistent message that whatever the board can do to maximize the Kindergarten program, that is what we should do," he added.
Alberta Education has been firm in its stance to only provide funding for  a 0.5 FTE program at 475 hours. The current 1.0 programs in PRSD will be reduced to 0.8 FTE, or four full days, instead of five. Schools currently offering 0.8 FTE programming will be reduced to 0.6 FTE. Schools currently at 0.6 or 0.5 FTE will remain at their current levels.
The amount budgeted for Kindergarten programs for the 2010-11 year is $180,500. It is forecasted that the division will spend $346,000 over what is provided by Alberta Education for the 2009-10 school year.
"We are higher this year because we have four Kindergarten classes at I.F. Cox School this year, but we are forecasting for one less class next year," said treasurer, Pat Cocks.
Deputy superintendent, Brian Andjelic said the board reviews its Kindergarten each year and has several options available for its schools.
"The board decided four years ago to approve up to a full-time program and to review it each year. Kindergarten is not the only ECS program there is. We have junior Kindergarten, which is funded through the province and is self-sustained. Everybody recognizes that only .5 of the K program is funded by the province. The rationale around early interaction, especially for disadvantaged children, the disabled, and the special needs children is there. Research shows these kids were able to stay closer to their peers because of early interaction programs, including Kindergarten,
"For us, this has been an annual decision. Our board reviews this every year and not all of our schools have full-time Kindergarten now and not all communities are interested in it," said Andjelic.
"We have several different options for regular Kindergarten in Prairie Rose, including complete private K programs, where all we provide is the space. We also have where the Kindergarten is integrated with Grades 1, 2, and 3. We also have .5 and .6 programs. And, we have the 1.0 full-time programs in a couple of schools. We are all over the map because of the different needs being expressed in different communities," he added.
Board chair, Marian Peers said the trustees made the best decision possible given the current financial situation.
“This decision is the best possible one for students in Prairie Rose considering the circumstances,” stated Marian Peers, board chair. “Despite the small reduction in Kindergarten hours, our students will still be provided with a strong, high quality early childhood program in preparation for Grade 1 and future years. The Board, however, knew we had to be fiscally responsible considering our financial reality. This decision provides that balance.”
To assist with covering the portion of the program not covered by Alberta Education, PRSD will be delaying new technology acquisitions for a one-year period.
"If we are going to put technology on hold for a year, I want to state that we are very proud of our technology plan and very proud of our technology department," said trustee, Kathy Cooper.
Grant funding for new technology over the past few years allows the school division to shelve new purchases for a year and not be affected.
"We have been able to access some grant funding over the past two or three years that have helped a great deal, so we can put it on hold for a year and be all right," said Nicholls.