Columbus City Schools has offered all-day kindergarten since 1994, but some districts may have to hire more teachers and find more classroom space.
Starting in the fall of 2011, Ohio schools must offer all-day kindergarten as mandated in the new state budget.
The Grandview Heights City School District is a small one, but currently offers all-day kindergarten on a tuition basis. The district is allowed to continue charging tuition for the 2010-2011 school year, but not after that.
One-hundred-twenty Ohio school districts receive Poverty-Based Assistance that currently pays for all-day kindergarten. The Columbus City School District is one of them.
Many suburban school districts don’t receive that funding. Although the new evidence-based school funding model provides money for all-day kindergarten, some districts worry that they won’t receive any more funding than current levels.
Working parents who contacted NBC 4 say they prefer all-day kindergarten because it works better for their schedules.
Half-day kindergarten will still be an option for parents who request it.
Grandview Heights City Schools Superintendent Ed O’Reilly says he wants to know if the state will require him to provide one teacher for a half-day kindergarten class if only a handful of students request it. He says the way the budget language is written, it looks like the district is obligated to provide half-day classes upon request.
Ohio has 613 school districts.
For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement