Cal-Mum Central School proposes Pre-K in 2008

   The Cal-Mum School District is investigating implementing a pre-kindergarten program in the fall of 2008. If the school board approves the program, the district would apply for special grant funding from New York State to start the pre-k.

   Superintendent of Schools David V. Dinolfo said school districts expect Governor Eliot Spitzer’s 2008-09 budget to reinforce the state’s commitment to pre-k in public schools with $64,480 of start up funding. He said schools would be watching closely as the governor unveils his budget in January 2008.

   Cal-Mum School is looking at a five day pre-k program comprised of two half-day sessions for children four years of age by December 1. The district would provide transportation for students with a designated bus run that includes child safety seats and a bus monitor to assist the children.

   Board of Education President Jay Jones says this is a good program for four year old children in the Cal-Mum School district.

   "A pre-k program at school provides an opportunity for all kids to take advantage of early learning opportunities that may not have been convenient or possible for some children, with the current preschool service," said Jones.

  There are many details for the BOE to consider in making the decision to start a pre-k program. The program would add an additional and separate bus transportation run. In addition, the district would have to purchase child safety seats for students under the age of four and provide a bus monitor to assist the children and safely secure them in their seats.

   Dinolfo said classroom space is available for the pre-k class in the kindergarten wing of the elementary school building. One teacher and two part-time aides would be needed for the recommended 15 student class size. The district would use the state grant to start the pre-k program on a small scale with a goal of expanding the program in the future. Still, Jones says spending for any additional programs must be carefully considered.

   "We look at all programs very seriously and those that require additional funding are carefully considered before the board implements them," he commented, adding that the board will balance the increased opportunities and benefits to children with their fiscal responsibilities to the district.

   Jones also said that in order for students to meet the increased high standards set forth by the SED it may be necessary to start children younger in school.

   Dinolfo unveiled the proposed pre-k plan at the December 11, 2007 school board meeting, which was attended by representatives from the community nursery school, The Learning Tree. The cooperative nursery school has successfully been in business for nearly 30 years and board members are concerned that a pre-k program at the public school level could impact their enrollment to the point where they may not be able to sustain the current three-day a week program for four year olds. At the least, tuition at the nursery school would have to be increased, they said. Since pre-k programs are not mandated by state law, parents could opt to send their children to the Learning Tree cooperative nursery school rather than the Cal-Mum pre-k, if the four year old program continues to be offered.

   The school board plans to make a decision on the pre-k program shortly after Gov. Spitzer unveils his proposed budget in late January 2008 in an effort to give the Learning Tree time to reorganize its program, if need be.