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%

5

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

It’s Time To Bring Back FDK!

•Improve student learning•Close achievement gaps•Important new programming for our youngest students•No additional local cost but great local benefit for Woonsocket's youngest learners