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Maximum of 0.8 Kindergarten for 2010-2011 approved
By Prairie Rose School Division
14 Apr
The Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose School Division decided at their meeting on Tuesday, April 13 to offer a maximum of 760 hours for the system’s Kindergarten program for the 2010-2011 school year, which translates into four days per week (0.8 full-time equivalent) of programming.
The decision was made after weeks of deliberation, including receiving input from various stakeholders and taking into account the leveling off of provincial funding for 2010-2011.
Alberta Education currently funds a 0.5 FTE program at 475 hours. The motion will see programs currently offering a 1.0 FTE program reduced to 0.8 FTE, or four full days of programming instead of five. Schools currently offering a 0.8 FTE will be reduced to 0.6 FTE. Schools currently offering 0.6 or 0.5 FTE programs will remain at their current levels.
“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.”
Based on this decision, the amount budgeted for Kindergarten programs throughout Prairie Rose for the 2010-2011 school year is $180,500. For the 2009-2010 school year, it is forecasted the division will spend $346,000 for its Kindergarten program beyond what is provided by Alberta Education. As it has done for the last few years, the board will continue to review the Kindergarten situation on an annual basis.
“Having the support of administrators who do not deliver Kindergarten in their schools was a key factor in the Board’s decision,” said Doug Nicholls, superintendent. “Knowing that teachers and administrators support the additional funding required to offer a 0.8 FTE program instead of a 0.5 FTE program speaks volumes about their commitment to students who are just beginning their educational journey. We are pleased we were able to retain nearly 300 unfunded instructional hours for our Kindergarten students.”
