Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993 TAG: 9305080010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
City School Board member Betty Plott, a former Pulaski County school administrator, distributed a lengthy analysis to her colleagues Thursday outlining the pros and cons of a full-day program, which she favors.
The board is expected to discuss the issue in detail at its next meeting.
Radford now offers half-day kindergarten sessions to 97 youngsters, with three morning and two afternoon classes at McHarg Elementary. Some city residents have taken advantage of full-day kindergarten in Pulaski County.
But, the city's kindergarten enrollments are on the rise. Superintendent Michael Wright told the board that 102 children have registered for kindergarten this fall and he anticipates another dozen or two over the summer.
Plott said she visited the kindergarten classes at McHarg and she believes the school could handle five full-time kindergarten sections, but that would require two more teachers.
Under the half-day plan, three teachers handle the five classes. With more kindergarteners expected in the fall, that could expand to six classes.
"I really would like to see some numbers on this," said board member Chip Craig, adding that he was "certainly not opposed to all-day kindergarten."
Plott also suggested eliminating the transitional first-grade class, a separate section for pupils not ready for regular first-grade classes. She also called the 19 kindergarten retentions last year "very high."
After the meeting, Plott said all-day kindergarten offers several advantages, including fewer retentions, more individual attention time and less teacher stress.
She also said statistics show a daylong program is almost 100 percent "to the advantage of the disadvantaged child.
"I think it could be done in Radford with some shifting of classes and without major expense," she said.
In other business, the board unanimously approved construction of a play structure for third-graders at McHarg Elementary School. The Parent-Teacher Association project will be built using volunteer labor and between $3,000 and $5,000 in donations.
Before the board's vote, Rick McWhorter of the McHarg Parent-Teacher Association Playground Committee, said the magic words to ensure favorable action: "We're not asking for any money, period."
The board also approved its 1993-94 school year calendar. The first school day for city students will be Tuesday, Sept. 7, the day after Labor Day.
by CNB