Greencastle considers full-day kindergarten

Friday, May 11, 2007

An estimated 75 percent of incoming kindergarteners in Greencastle may opt for a full-day program, the Greencastle School Board heard Wednesday.

Deer Meadow Principal Gwen Morris said of the parents surveyed during a recent kindergarten orientation, 75 percent were interested in sending their children to a full-day program. Parents at the upcoming Ridpath orientation will also be surveyed about their preferences.

Funding for full-day kindergarten has been approved by the state legislature, Supt. Robert Green reported, but there is a $2,500 cap per student on the funding, and that also depends on how many school districts apply for the funding.

"We haven't heard any specifics on it," Green said of full-day funding.

Greencastle already has extended-day kindergarten for 18-22 at-risk students at both Deer Meadow and Ridpath. That program has improved the performance of students in need of extra help.

If full-day kindergarten is offered, board members noted, it should not affect the extended-day program for those students who are benefitting from it.

Morris noted the staffing needed for an expanded kindergarten program would be three full-time teachers and one half-day teacher at both schools.

Green presented the information to keep the board updated on the issue, and said he will be passing on information about the funding as it becomes available.

Meanwhile during the regular monthly meeting, the board handled several personnel items. The board approved:

  • Paul Bretscher's resignation due to retirement as a high school physical education and health teacher, and swim coach.

  • Michael Brelage as high school math teacher and assistant football coach.

  • Tammy Britton's resignation as cafeteria manager at Ridpath Primary School.

  • Heather Whitaker's resignation as bus driver.

  • A leave of absence for 2007-08 as elementary counselor for Becky Greenlee.

  • A leave of absence for Khristen Phillips as high school science teacher.

  • Appointing Katherine Asbell as elementary counselor for the Greenlee leave.

  • Carolyn Houck and Debra Barnes as special education teachers.

  • Alan Brown as summer driver education teacher.

  • The summer Jump Start teachers as Kara Thomas, Joanna Muncie, Shana Faust, Carolyn Ruark, Jill Green, Janean Edwards, Kathy Terry, Julie Stevens, Karen Hirt and Regina Ames.

  • Colleen "Kellie" Romer as middle school secretary.

  • Tyler Archer and Rena Warren as summer student bookstore workers.

  • Janice Heavin and Jonathan Barber as summer technology assistants.

  • Austin Miller, Zack Remsburg and Zack Green as summer student maintenance workers.

  • Pam Gardner and Jarred Green as summer painters for the maintenance department.

  • Carol Clark, Mary Comstock, Janet Jayne and Tracy Summerlot as summer help for bus clean-up.

  • A leave of absence for May for teacher Deborah Rode.

  • Tiffany Deakins as substitute teacher for the Rode leave of absence.

  • Transferring Ron Dugan from substitute bus driver to regular route full-time driver.

  • A leave of absence for Kacey Seaver as first grade teacher for the first semester of the next school year.

  • A leave of absence for Margo Hertenstein as first grade teacher for the 2007-08 school year.

  • Carolyn McKee and Vicki Montgomery as primary Jump Start teachers.

  • The resignation of Scott Weltz as athletic director at the end of the school year. He has requested reassignment to teach social studies at the middle school.

    The Greencastle School Board regularly meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Miller Education Center, 522 Anderson St., Greencastle. The next session will be Wednesday, June 13. The meetings are open to the public.

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