STRONG – The MSAD 58 school board voted Thursday evening to seek federal funds to start a pre-kindergarten program in all three elementary schools.
Joining a statewide attempt to secure $12.5 million in federal funds over the next four years would not require the district to implement a pre-K program, district officials informed the board. The school board has discussed the issue over the past few years and included $30,000 in the current fiscal year’s budget to go toward developing a pre-K program. Currently, the only program operating in the district is being run for a dozen students by Head Start, out of the Phillips Elementary School.
If the state was successful in applying for the $12.5 million, MSAD 58 would be able to use the federal funds to cover a portion of the cost of a pre-K program for four years. District officials have estimated that starting the program would cost roughly $490,000, with the federal funds covering 80 percent in the first year. The funding coverage would decrease by 20 percent each year.
The money would pay for two teachers, two ed techs and an early education coach, who would work with the program staff for the first two years. The district would work with Head Start in Phillips, saving the cost of two positions and expanding that program to cover more students. The special education needs of students would be covered at no cost to the district through the Child Development Services, a Department of Education agency.
The board approved submitting MSAD 58’s funding plan to the state. A pre-K program would require board support to implement, as well as voter support to fund any local match.
Meanwhile, the district has been holding public meetings to discuss questions and concerns regarding pre-K with the public. Kingfield’s meeting was held Monday, with Principal Felecia Pease saying that attendees had expressed a preference for a single bus schedule for pre-K and primary students, as well as concerns for local day care businesses. The other two meetings are Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at Phillips Elementary School and Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. at Strong Elementary School.
In other business, Principal Marco Aliberti of Mt. Abram High School said that he would appear before the board at the next meeting and ask directors to sign off on a waiver for proficiency-based education diplomas.
In a proficiency- or standards-based education system, students are evaluated through the completion of skills relating to each academic subject; each standard needs to be met before the student advances to the next lesson or class. With the current system, a student can theoretically pass a class or graduate without fully comprehending each subject, as grades incorporate factors such as attendance, homework and in-class group work.
State law mandates that graduating students in 2018 receive a proficiency-based diploma, although up to three years of extensions are available as Maine school districts work through the transition. Roughly 80 percent of school districts are seeking waivers.
Ideally, Aliberti said, he saw the Class of 2020 graduating with a proficiency-based diploma; that would refer to this year’s 7th grade.
