Schools seek waiver to all-day kindergarten

May 9, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Some Ohio public school districts are seeking state waivers to forgo implementing all-day kindergarten programs this fall.

As of last week, 171 of Ohio’s 613 school districts had asked the state Department of Education for a waiver, saying they don’t have the millions of dollars needed to hire more teachers and build more classrooms. The state has yet to deny a waiver request.

Districts seeking waivers include some of the highest-performing around Columbus, including Dublin and Upper Arlington.

“Our elementary schools are full,” said Doug Baker, spokesman for Dublin schools. “We estimate $1.6 million is what it would cost us in staffing, and at least 20 additional classrooms.”

Gov. Ted Strickland’s education overhaul, approved by lawmakers last year, called for statewide all-day kindergarten starting this fall, although parents could opt for a traditional half-day class.

Amanda Wurst, a spokeswoman for Gov. Ted Strickland, said the governor realizes it will take time for districts to implement all-day kindergarten, and that’s why they were given the option of seeking a waiver.

Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said the governor realizes that it will take time for districts to implement all-day kindergarten, and that’s why they were given the option of seeking a waiver.

“It takes time to build physical space that may be needed — or change budget priorities to ensure state resources are meeting state requirements,” she said.

Scott Blake, a spokesman for the Education Department, said districts seeking waivers must explain why they can’t provide all-day kindergarten in the fall and outline plans for complying with the requirement in the 2011-12 school year.

A majority of school districts already have full-day kindergarten programs. Of 554 districts responding to a statewide survey last year, 342 said they offered it; 212 did not.

Upper Arlington Superintendent Jeffrey Weaver said the earliest it could implement the program would be the 2012-13 school year — at a cost of $1.5 million for additional staffing, equipment and facilities. Voters will be asked to provide the money through a levy.