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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... Guest Opinion: Medford should strive to be more like Bend ... Poison in the well ... Gold Hill rallies to save IOOF Lodge ... OUR VIEW Our View: Stay flexible on kindergarten hours Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Medford School District's elementary principals are proposing fiscally prudent expansion of kindergarten hours that stops short of the full-day kindergarten state education officials want, but the state may not agree to pay for it. State officials should reconsider. The state Legislature in 2011 recommended local districts move to full-day kindergarten and promised funding starting in the fall of 2015 to districts that took that step. Districts are understandable skeptical that the state will cover the extra costs as promised. A legislative session may not legally obligate future legislatures to spend money. Even if the state money is forthcoming, Medford educators say a three-quarter day makes more sense both financially and in terms of its value to students. All Medford elementary schools offer at least half-day kindergarten, running from 7:55 to 10:45 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Expanding to a full 7:55-2:30 day would cost the district $3.8 million. Going to a three-quarter day, 7:55 a.m. to 1 p.m. would cost $2.6 million. In addition, some studies indicate 5- and 6-year-olds aren't ready for a full six-hour day. Jacksonville Elementary School Principal Joe Frazier, who researched the issue for the district, says the three-quarter option would be a good transition from kindergarten to the full-day first grade schedule. A state Education Department representative, however, said Medford would receive funding only for half-time kindergarten if it chose to offer only a three-quarter day. Oregon has a track record of going its own way in response to federal mandates and negotiating waivers, with health care reform as well as education, to achieve the stated purpose with no loss of funding. It hardly seems fair to penalize local school districts that make a well-researched decision in the best interest of their students by withholding funding. Gov. John Kitzhaber's proposed budget for the 2015-17 biennium includes additional funding for a range of pre-third grade education programs designed to increase student success, including money for full-day kindergarten. If that money does end up in the final budget adopted by the Legislature, Medford may want to again consider the full-day option. But if local school officials decide a three-quarter day is the best choice for students, the state should respect that and provide the necessary funding. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501