1/4/2010

Patrick Dubbs
Superintendent
Superintendent’s Message
January 4, 2010

The Superintendent’s Message on 12/11/09 – discussed the pending legislative agreement regarding the potential $851 million dollar shortfall in the state’s budget. I encouraged district stakeholders to voice their opinion with legislators. I received numerous messages letting me know that people did take the time to voice concern.

Governor Ted Strickland and the General Assembly have come to an agreement on how to address the $851 million dollar shortfall. House Bill 318 addresses the shortfall by freezing state income tax rates at the 2008 level, postponing the final 4.2 percent reduction. The tax revenues made available through this postponement will allow the state to avoid any cuts to education funding. Also, these funds ensure that Ohio will continue to receive State Fiscal Stabilization Funds tied to education and will remain in a competitive position for Race to the Top funds.

In addition to addressing the budget issue, House Bill 318 also contains language regarding waivers to delay providing all-day, every-day kindergarten until fiscal year 2012 (the 2011-2012 school year). The language in the current version of the bill will require local boards of education to adopt a resolution providing justification for the delay of implementing all-day, every-day kindergarten. Districts also will be required to submit a plan for the full implementation of all-day, every-day kindergarten beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.

All-Day, Every-Day Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

Question:
Are all public school districts required to offer all-day, every-day kindergarten?
Answer:
Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, all city, local, and exempted village school districts must provide all-day, every-day kindergarten to each kindergarten student, unless the district receives a waiver from the requirement. With the passage of amended House Bill 318, “a school district may seek a delay, until fiscal year 2012, of the requirement to implement all-day kindergarten for all students in that district.”

Question:
What if a district is unable to provide all-day, every-day kindergarten beginning in the 2010-2011 school year?
Answer:
If offering all-day, every-day kindergarten is not possible for the 2010-2011 school year, the superintendent may apply for a waiver. The waiver must include a copy of the local school board resolution that contains a request for delay of all-day, every-day kindergarten and justification for seeking a waiver; and a copy of the local school district plan for providing all-day, every-day kindergarten in school year 2011-2012.

Question:
If a school district provides all-day, every-day kindergarten may they charge tuition?
Answer:
Districts that had a tuition-based all-day kindergarten program in place during the 2008-2009 school year may continue to charge tuition through the 2010-2011 school year. The tuition amounts cannot exceed those charged during the 2008-2009 school year. No district may charge a fee for providing all-day, every-day kindergarten starting in the 2011-2012 school year.

Question:
Do all children have to attend all-day, every-day kindergarten?
Answer:
No. Should a parent request a half-time kindergarten schedule, the school district shall accommodate the request.

Question:
How many hours of instruction are required for all-day, every-day kindergarten?
Answer:
School districts must offer the same number of hours as provided for first through sixth grade students.

Question:
Can a district partner with an outside entity to provide all-day, every-day kindergarten?
Answer:
According to ORC 3321.05 (E) a school district may partner with a licensed child care center to provide the district’s all-day kindergarten program. The law does not specify the terms of those partnerships and thus is up to the individual communities to determine the terms of such agreements. 12/22/2009
Question:
If providing all-day kindergarten continues to be a hardship for the 2011-2012 school year, can a district apply for an additional waiver?
Answer:
Yes. The provisions of HB 1 were not changed and districts can apply for additional waivers.

Our district administration and school board will be examining both the waiver process and the requirement to develop an all day kindergarten plan. If you have input please feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Happy 2010

Pat Dubbs
Superintendent