VERONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In partnership with a supportive community, we inspire our students to be creative,
critical thinkers and compassionate global citizens through dynamic teaching,
meaningful curricula, and enriching experiences.
October 12, 2018
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

SECOND BALLOT QUESTION
COMMUNITY VOTE
NOVEMBER 6, 2018


FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
Superintendent Corner Column
Why Your Vote on Full Day Kindergarten Is Important

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children play is serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood."
Mister Fred Rogers
On November 6, 2018, the Verona community will have an opportunity to cast an important vote that would increase funding to the Verona Public Schools to invest in full day kindergarten through a commitment to increased staffing at the elementary level. If approved by the community, full day kindergarten would begin in January 2019. In each s ubsequent year, full day kindergarten would become a full year program beginning in September and ending in June.

The Verona Board of Education has proposed full day kindergarten on the ballot twice in the past 12 years. We are proposing it again because the evolving demographics in our community suggest this would be beneficial to more students. Verona is one of the few school districts in New Jersey that does not offer full day kindergarten. Our district administration, elementary principals, and kindergarten teachers devoted much time last year to researching the topic, identifying the importance of kindergarten, and analyzing the budgetary impact to the District. Carrying out such work takes vision, time, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to such efforts. Our elementary principals conducted a public presentation at the May 22, 2018 Board of Education meeting which you may view at the link below.

Our teachers, administrators, and staff cultivate an environment that creates excitement for learning. We are fortunate to be able to create rigorous, academic environments with a diverse and robust curricula. The achievement of our students depends on it. Our teachers and support staff carry out meaningful and exemplary work with our children each and every day. It is encouraging that our children experience strong programs and educators who are dedicated to our students.

Approval of this second question by the Verona community would result in an increase for our current kindergarten teachers from 77% to full time, and increase of nearly 25% of additional instructional time for our students and staff. More time equals more opportunities to support our children, especially in the early developmental years. There exist several factors to consider when determining the importance of implementing a full day kindergarten program such as the increased opportunities for play which leads to greater social connections, creativity, increased self-esteem, and resilience. Additionally, expanding the school day for children in kindergarten would support our teachers to have more time for individualized instruction, the reinforcement of positive social behaviors, and opportunities for academic intervention.
You may be wondering why our school district cannot simply pay for full day kindergarten out of the school budget. On the financial front, the Verona Public Schools operates a lean and fiscally responsible school budget with low per pupil spending. There are several factors that have created financial constraints making funding new programs of this scope impossible via the current school budget:

  • The reduction in State aid amounts to a cumulative loss of $5.6 million to the Verona Public Schools since 2011. This fact translates into less funding to develop programs and expand staffing in our schools.
  • This reduction in State aid equates to a loss of $705,000 per year on average.
  • The current State aid received in 2018 is still 23% less than in 2010.
  • The Verona Public Schools has never been fully funded based on the New Jersey funding formula.
  • Since 2011, the inception of the 2.0% cap on the property tax levy makes it prohibitive to increase the district's operating budget above the cap without approval from the taxpayer.

We are fortunate to have a caring community dedicated to continuing to focus on providing a high quality education for our students. This second question to expand full day kindergarten has been thoughtfully developed and would provide additional support and staffing for $3.50 per month ($42 per year) to the average assessed household. Any anticipated increase in costs above the 2% cap would be negligible since each 1% of increase equates to 42 cents per year to the average home.

Unlike many other school districts exploring the expansion of full day kindergarten, there would be no impact to our facility space with no need to build additional classrooms (we expanded the number of classroom spaces in prior referendums). The proposed increase to the existing school budget would solely be an increase to staffing costs.

The amount of time and how we use such opportunities are factors that impact academic achievement and social development, allowing our students to maximize their individual potential. I have attached additional resources in this correspondence, including the Board of Education video and slide presentation by our elementary school principals. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) document provides additional insight into the most common questions on full day kindergarten. I encourage you to become informed by reviewing the information below and vote on November 6th.

All my best,


Dr. Rui Dionisio
Superintendent of Schools
Verona Public Schools

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How Would The Increase In
Instructional Time Benefit Children?
What Would The Kindergarten School Day
Look Like For Children?
How Do We Compare To Other School Districts?
What Are The Factors That Matter In Making The Decision?
What Will The Program Cost Us?
What are the start and end times for full day K in Verona?
The current kindergarten day is 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. A full day program will follow the same schedule as our elementary students in grades 1-4, which is 8:30 am – 2:45 pm.

Has New Jersey mandated a full day Kindergarten program?
At this time Kindergarten in New Jersey is NOT a mandated grade level. Therefore, New Jersey districts have the option to offer Kindergarten at a half day, extended day or full day schedule.

There is a proposed bill for full day kindergarten. This proposed bill if law, mandates that if a school district does not have a full day kindergarten program, and is designated as a district with a large concentration of at risk-students, the district would be required to begin offering a full day kindergarten program by the 2018-19 school year. All other districts would be required to have a full day kindergarten program by the 2019-20 school year . 

Will full day kindergarten students have the opportunity to participate in school sponsored lunches?
Yes. Full day kindergarten students will have the option to purchase lunch via Pomptonian and or an SCA sponsored lunch.

Are the majority of New Jersey Public Schools offering full day kindergarten?
Yes! At this time, approximately 8 out of 10 public school districts offer a full day program.

Will center time still be an integral part of the kindergarten experience?
Yes. Kindergarten students will still participate in daily center time exploring various skills through play.

How do we define a kindergarten center?
Our kindergarten classrooms have designated areas within the classroom that provide students with opportunities to explore and discover through a self-initiated process. Center activities often include items such as manipulatives, art materials, books, and other developmentally appropriate resources. Learning centers provide students with opportunities to apply curricular topics in hands-on ways. A kindergarten center encourages students to make decisions, share with others, and problem solve independently and as a member of a team.

Will full day kindergarten students have a world language?
No. World language in Verona begins at the first grade level. Additional time will be afforded for English-language arts skill acquisition.

Will kindergarten teachers be considered full time teaching staff?
Yes. All kindergarten teachers are currently 77% of a full day. Full day kindergarten will result in all of our kindergarten teachers becoming full time teachers in our district.

Will kindergarten teachers have an increase in pay due to a full day program?
Yes. Currently the Kindergarten teachers are paid 77% of a full time salary for their assigned step on the negotiated salary guide. All day kindergarten will result in each teacher becoming a full time employee with 100% of their salary at their assigned step.

Will there be an increase in cost to the district for benefits?
No. Currently all kindergarten teachers despite their 77% employment status are offered full time benefits.

How much will full day kindergarten cost per year?
An additional $215,000 per year for full year cost for the expansion of our existing kindergarten program includes increase in salaries and additional supplies. The additional funds will be included each year in the budget if approved by the community.

Will the proposed curriculum be aligned to the current New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS)?
Yes. The current kindergarten curriculum is directly aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). This same curriculum will be expanded due to increased time, allowing teachers and students to study topics at a deeper level.

Will the extra time have a positive impact on student’s learning?
Yes! Studies have revealed a correlation between full day kindergarten and student achievement. Students will be more prepared for the first grade curriculum and full day. Students are more likely to be on grade level by third grade as opposed to their half-day kindergarten peers.

How will the decision be made to move to full day kindergarten in Verona?
On election day, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Verona voters will be asked to approve full day kindergarten in the district. This vote will be done in the form of a second question on the ballot.

What is the purpose of a second question on the ballot?
Districts may not exceed the state-imposed 2% cap on budget increases, therefore, the public must vote on them. Districts can add second questions on the ballot when they are proposing a new program that exceeds the 2% cap.

What would be the tax impact on a yes vote for the second question on full day kindergarten?
The average increase per household would be $42 per year.