Peel board defers year two full-day early learning kindergarten programs at
five Peel schools

Board "hopeful that if the additional ministry funding is confirmed in time, the sites may still offer full-day kindergarten next year," says chair

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - Faced with unexpected growth in year one full-day kindergarten classes, and a shortfall in funding from the Ministry of Education for the program, Peel District School Board trustees approved the deferral of five of 11 full-day kindergarten sites for year two until additional funding is confirmed from the ministry. This represents nine of 45 classes deferred for 2011-12.

As of September 2010, enrolment in the full-day early learning kindergarten program was 2,947, well exceeding the board's original projection of 2,730 students. As a result, an additional 10 full-day kindergarten classes opened this fall—bringing the total to 115 classes. Because of increased projected enrolment in year three, additional classes will again need to be added to some of these year one sites.

"As a board, we recognize the value of the full-day early learning kindergarten program in helping to boost student success. It's why, during year one, no limits were set on enrolment and all parents interested in the program were able to register their children," says Janet McDougald, chair of the board. "We have, however, a fiscal responsibility to our community to run full-day kindergarten without overrunning our budget. All we are asking for from the province is to cover the real and proven costs of the program. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to defer some year two classes to year three."

On April 13, 2010, trustees approved a motion to ensure that the full-day kindergarten program is successfully implemented without creating funding pressures in other areas of the board budget. Parents will be informed that full-day kindergarten programs at the following previously approved year two sites, representing nine classes, may be deferred to 2012-13 if additional funding is not provided:

Brampton	Mississauga
Dorset Drive Public School	Hartsdale Avenue Public School
Terry Fox Public School	Willow Glen Public School
Caledon
Credit View Public School

Says McDougald, "We know parents, staff and students at these five schools will be disappointed, and we share that disappointment. It is our genuine hope the notice of the required funding will be received before staffing and registration deadlines in January. If so, the board will review the deferred sites to move ahead with as many sites as possible. Otherwise, the deferred sites will move into year three for implementation. We remain hopeful that if the additional ministry funding is confirmed in time, the sites may still offer full-day kindergarten next year."

The difficult decision about which schools to defer was based on a number of criteria. "Providing the full-day kindergarten program in schools with the highest social risk index while balancing equity of opportunity and equity of access across the region remains a high priority for the Peel board," explains Shirley-Ann Teal, superintendent of education - early learning program. The decision is also based on readiness to implement, student achievement, available space and the impact on existing local child care.

Notes Teal, "The feedback from parents, students and staff at the year one sites has been extraordinary. Thanks to the hard work of staff, the program has gotten off to a successful start at all of our schools. Where there has been demand, our PLASP partner has created a smooth and seamless transition for before and after school care for our youngest students. There is no doubt that the positive nature of the program is what has created such a demand in sites this year."

Parents will be informed that the following six Peel schools—36 classes—will run full-day kindergarten programs beginning September 2011:

Brampton
Clark Boulevard Public School
Mount Pleasant Public School (new school - Bovaird and Creditview)

Caledon
Macville Public School

Mississauga
Clifton Public School
Sherwood Mills Public School
Silver Creek Public School

Notes McDougald, "We remain hopeful that additional funding from the ministry will be provided. We will also continue to ask the province to produce a detailed five-year plan that provides us with capital funding now so that we're able to implement the program fully within five years. This remains a key priority in the year ahead."

The Peel board serves more than 150,000 students in kindergarten to grade 12. Operating 235 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel board is the largest employer in Peel. The board's annual budget is $1.2 billion. For more information about the full-day kindergarten program in Peel, visit www.peelschools.org.

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