Updated financial implications of adding full day kindergarten follow (please refer to my previous post):



The salary and benefits of the (proposed) teacher moving to kindergarten would be $50, 617. Existing physical space will accommodate FDK and the budget would incur an extra cost of $900 in supplies to set up the classroom. $8,000 would be saved in transportation costs by eliminating the midday bus run which now accommodates the present K program. $3,200 of salary costs would also be saved by the ability to eliminate a kindergarten assistant. Therefore, the total cost (of implementing the FDK) to the budget is $40, 317 ($50,617 + $900 - $8,000 - $3,200).

The increase (over the current budget) in the proposed Richmond School 2006-07 budget is 2.43% without FDK and 3.68% with FDK. FDK would cost approximately $25 per $200,000 of assessed property value.

These figures do not take into account the potential future cost savings by reducing special needs costs and grade retention costs that are documented for student populations that attended FDK.

A summary paper on the studies done of FDK can be found at the following web address:

http://www.doe.state.in.us/primetime/pdf/fulldaykreport.pdf

Please note that a separate article will be voted on by hand vote at Town Meeting (March 7) for the inclusion of FDK.