FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

IN THE

PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Fiscal Review and Recommendations

Presentation to School Committee

November 30, 2015

Feasibility Study: Interest

Driven by the commitment of the School Committee, administration, building

principals, and professional staff

Expand the quality of service provided to children in the Plymouth Public

Schools

Extend the opportunity to develop social skills and readiness for first grade

Further promote district's efforts to maximize early literacy

Massachusetts and

Full-Day Kindergarten (as of 2014)

Full-Day Kindergarten*

Percent of public school kindergarten students in full-day kindergarten classes

88%

Percent of school districts offering full-day kindergarten that charge tuition (range: $995 - $4,872)

24%

*69,585 children enrolled in public school kindergarten. Massachusetts Department of Education, SIMS data from 2013-2014 school year.

Summary of Findings

Approximately 88% of public school kindergarten students participate in full-

day kindergarten classes.

Only 24% of school districts offering full-day kindergarten charge tuition.

A majority (77.8%) of parents surveyed prefer a full-day kindergarten

program.

10 full-day kindergarten students from Plymouth participate in school choice in

Carver and Bourne.

Current obstacles and supports for transitioning to a full-day kindergarten that

have been identified are:

Space – Buildings not capable of meeting FDK needs with current room

configurations

Financial – Funding required for additional teacher and student resources

Staffing support – Additional funding required

Geographical area of town – Over 100 square miles

Specialist support services – Art, music, and physical education

RecapFebruary–March

Analyzed enrollment information and staffing data

Conducted study of existing classroom space within the district

Initiated community-wide kindergarten needs assessment (surveys)

Local Preschools

Plymouth Family Network

Plymouth Public Schools Parents

Head Start March

April Developed operational estimates (professional development, curriculum materials,

furniture, staffing, classroom supplies and equipment, etc.)

May Integrated survey data, needs assessment information and operational needs estimates

into preliminary report

June Presented draft report to Superintendent for submission to School Committee

Motion by School Committee to continue fiscal study of FDK

Options for Consideration

The exploration of portable classrooms at elementary schools (not an option at

certain elementary schools).

Extraordinary costs

Logistics

Inability to accommodate 100% of schools

Redistricting exercise (K-8) to explore various grade level reconfigurations.

Disruption to majority of schools

The use of one PCIS “house” as a possible kindergarten center.

Transportation and capital expense

Additional administrative oversight

Less desirable for families

Planning Sessions with Principals Several meetings to assess:

Staffing

Class size expectations

Facilities (inventory of

space)

Furniture and equipment

needs

Conclusions:

7 of the 8 elementary

schools can accommodate

full-day kindergarten

Exception: Hedge (one

section)

Preschool programs

(West/South Elem) co-

exist with PFN at PCIS No budget implications

Follow-up meetings to

determine the future

needs of preschool

Full-Day Kindergarten Costs FY17 Budget

Expense Total Costs ($)

Instructional Staff $1,286,183

Support Staff $320,451

Transportation * -$162,071

Building Modifications $0

Savings and Revenue * -$820,443

FY 17 Budget Increase $1,444,563

FY 18 Anticipated Budget Impact $801,357

* The total FDK expenses would be reduced in FY18 by approximately $845,443

(CH70 aid and transportation)

Teaching Staff Required FY 16 FY 17

School Budget

FTE

Existing

Staff Paid by

Budget

Revolving

FTE

Revolving $ Additional

New FTE

Additional New

$

Total

FTE

Total $

(Revolving

and New)

CSES 1.0 $51,870 0.5 $28,263 0.5 $23,607 2.0 $51,870

FFES 1.5 $89,955 0.5 $30,842 1.0 $46,774 3.0 $77,616

HES 1.0 $48,003 0.0 - 0.0 - 1.0 -

IBES 2.5 $217,416 0.5 $48,835 1.0 $46,774 4.0 $90,609

MES 1.0 $57,508 0.5 $33,507 1.5 $70,161 3.0 $103,668

NMES 2.0 $140,623 1.0 $78,940 1.0 $46,774 4.0 $125,714

SES 2.5 $147,184 1.0 $65,353 1.5 $70,161 5.0 $135,514

West 1.5 $84,786 0.5 $32,325 2.0 $93,548 4.0 $125,873

TOTAL 13.0 $837,344 4.5 $313,064 8.5 $397,799 26.0 $710,863

Paraeducator Staff Required FY 16 FY 17

School Budget

FTE

Existing

Staff Paid by

Budget

Revolving

FTE

Revolving $ Additional

New FTE

Additional

New $

Total

FTE

Total $

(Revolving

and New)

CSES 0.0 $0 .6 $12,684 .6 $11,769 1.2 $24,453

FFES 0.0 $0 .6 $ 10,295 1.2 $ 23,538 1.8 $ 33,833

HES 0.0 $0 0.0 $0 .75 $14,711 .75 $14,711

IBES 0.0 $0 .6 $ 13,226 1.8 $ 35,307 2.4 $ 48,533

MES 0.0 $0 .6 $ 14,376 1.2 $ 23,538 1.8 $ 37,914

NMES 0.0 $0 1.2 $ 26,702 1.2 $ 23,538 2.4 $ 50,240

SES 0.0 $0 1.2 $ 27,002 1.8 $ 35,307 3.0 $ 62,309

West 0.0 $0 .6 $ 13,151 1.8 $ 35,307 2.4 $ 48,458

TOTAL 0.0 $0 5.4 $ 117,436 10.35 $ 203,015 15.75 $ 320,451

Additional Specialists

Art PE Music Library/

Media

Tech SPED Speech O.T. P.T. Total

FTE

CSES 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9

FFES 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

HES 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9

IBES 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8

MES 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

NMES 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8

SES 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8

West 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7

Unassigned 3.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 7.0

TOTAL 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.7 0.1 3.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 12.3

TOTAL $ $575,320

Important to Understand

Hedge classroom will be housed at West Elementary

for one year only.

Specialist classrooms will not be displaced.

Instructional spaces for FDK are all appropriate and

comparable to other educational spaces within each

school.

Questions