SALEM All-day kindergarten is offered as an option

The school board hired a Columbiana educator to fill an administrative post.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Parents will have the option in the upcoming school year of enrolling their children in either half-day or all-day kindergarten.
The school board agreed Monday to adopt an all-day kindergarten schedule in addition to the district's traditional half-day program.
All-day kindergarten is being offered because many educators think the longer program develops better pupils who achieve more throughout their academic careers, said schools Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck.
The district can offer the program without additional cost by shifting three teachers from other duties.
Brobeck emphasized that the all-day kindergarten will not be mandatory. Parents may still enroll their children in the half-day program.
The district averages 150 to 160 kindergartners each school year.
New hire: In other business, the school board agreed to hire Joseph Shivers as director of curriculum, instruction and personnel. Shivers, currently principal at Columbiana High School, was hired to a three-year contract that begins in August.
He is replacing Lori Thayer, who previously was appointed Salem Junior High School principal.
Shivers will earn about $67,000 annually. He is the brother of board member Dr. Paul Shivers, who abstained from the hiring vote.
Manual online? Board members are considering paying to have the school district's policy manual posted on the Internet.
"We will be looking at it as a way to better communicate with our community," Brobeck said.
The policy manual already is available for viewing as a public document. But posting it on the Internet will facilitate access to it, Brobeck explained.
The school board also approved the 2001-2002 school calendar.
The schedule has pupils starting class Aug. 29 and finishing June 7, 2002.