The Seattle Public Schools are asking parents to participate in an online survey regarding the funding of all-day kindergarten classes.
Responses received by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16th will be shared with the School Board during the board’s budget work session Wednesday evening and will help guide budget decisions. However, the district will continue to accept responses to the survey through Friday February 18.
The state of Washington funds only half-day kindergarten (there are a few exceptions to this for high poverty schools). For many years the Seattle school district has added funding for a second half day to ensure that each school has one full day kindergarten available.
Over the years schools added “pay for K” programs as more and more families wanted full day kindergarten for their children. For the 2010-11 school year, the district implemented a standard $207 per month Pay for K program across the district. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch receive tuition waivers.
With the severe budget crisis, the school district and board are now considering various options to balance the budget and one is related to Kindergarten services.
Let district officials know where you stand by participating in the survey. Click here to fill out the survey: Seattle Public Schools Survey
