Tecumseh Schools considers Young Fives program for 2008-09

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh Public School currently is reviewing an option to bring a Young Fives program to the district as early as next fall. Sutton Elementary School Principal Deb Langmeyer outlined a plan that would allow children who are not yet developmentally ready for regular kindergarten to attend classes geared toward their unique needs.

Langmeyer said the plan would include doing away with the half-day kindergarten option which received parent interest of only 14 out of a total of 251 kindergarten registrants last year. The proposed full-day program would, however, have some flexibility to allow some students to leave the class at 1 p.m. after lunch and before an afternoon session of enrichment activities for those whose parents who believe the half-day is still the best choice for their child.

Langmeyer said the district could accomplish the goal of adding the Young Fives program for approximately $23,000. She said there has been a recommendation to site the program at Patterson Elementary School, and said First Student Transportation has assured the committee that has been studying the issue that there would be no additional cost to the district to run shuttles from local elementary schools to Patterson.

“Each child would go to their neighborhood school and then be shuttled to the school where the program is located,” said Langmeyer. She said in order to allow for this, the Young Five program could begin at 9 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m., and dismiss at 3:25 p.m. instead of 3:45 p.m. Parents also would have the option of transporting their own children.

A driving force behind studying the program is the fact that the district lost at least eight students last year who attended neighboring districts that have Young Fives programs.
“Our purpose is not to steal students going to other districts, but it’s meant to keep our own students in the district,” said Langmeyer. She said at the current foundation allowance levels, the loss of eight students meant a $57,000 FTE lost to the district. “For approximately $23,000 we could increase our sections and do away with half-day kindergarten and put in a Young Fives program and provide this opportunity for the students in our district,” she said.

Another push is coming from a bill being considered in Lansing to mandate full-day kindergarten within the next few years. Langmeyer said kindergarten is not what it used to be and is more academically challenging than in the past. She said the Young Five program would give parents more options. “The parents know if their child is developmentally young along with other mile markers,” Langmeyer said.

“I think conceptually we’re all on the same page but we don’t have enough information on the costs to make a decision tonight,” said Tecumseh School Board President Mark Wolfe, who requested that Langmeyer work with Interim Business Manager Bill Wright to show where the dollar figures fit into the district’s budget model. He also requested a plan in writing detailing the programs intended goals.  

“We need to look beyond just keeping the kids here,” Wolfe said. “We need to do what’s good for this district in getting kids started up and because it’s the right thing to do.” The board will further discuss the issue during an April 12 study session.

If the recommended plan proceeds, a special booth that interested parents may visit will be set up during Kindergarten registration on Saturday, April 19.

During Monday night’s meeting the board also:
• Recognized the THS Girls State Champion Bowling team and THS gymnast Chelsea Caterina for their athletic accomplishments this season.
• Approved the 2008-2009 Building of Choice Forms and the 2008-2009 School of Choice Policy.
• Accepted a slate of 2008 Spring coaching hires.
• Accepted a retirement request from Herrick Park teacher Mary Korte.
• Accepted a teacher leave request for Heather Getson for the 2008-2009 school year.