DAYTON — The school board would like to hear what parents of youngsters think about the possibility of a public pre-kindergarten program.
A brief survey for parents with children 4 years old and younger can be accessed online, through the town’s website: www.dayton-me.gov. The survey asks participants if they’d be interested in such a program, and if so, would they prefer a program that is half-day or full-day and four days a week or five.
Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray said there are currently “no solid plans” for a public preschool program, but as pre-kindergarten programs become more prevalent across the state and country, the town is exploring its options.
Ray said studies have shown that third-grade students who attend pre-kindergarten programs are more likely to have higher reading levels than those students who began school in kindergarten. Also, those who attend pre-kindergarten programs are less likely to spend time in prison later on in life, he said.
Ray said there is space in Dayton for a preschool program. He said if there is state funding available and the town decides it wants to pursue a pre-kindergarten program, he’d like to get in on it in the beginning.
“You never know when the money is going to dry up,” he said.
School Board Chairman Denis Elie said he doesn’t know how the general population in town feels about a public pre-kindergarten program, and he’s hoping the survey will help the board gage the level of interest.
“It’s a good idea to explore the possibility,” said Elie. He said a public pre-kindergarten program would put kindergartners on a “level playing ground.” Students who don’t go to preschool often are behind on skills when they enter kindergarten.
Elie said the school board will also study the impact on tax payers of a pre-kindergarten program when making a decision.
The Department of Education recently issued new standards for public preschool programs. Under the standards, public preschool programs can have a maximum classroom size of 16 children and the adult to student ratio must be 1:8, with one staff member a teacher and the other an educational technician. Under state standards, a preschool program must run a minimum of 10 hours a week for 35 weeks.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
