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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 26, 2004 Griffin Creek kindergarten program hinges on funds Supporters need to raise enough to help low-income students By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Supporters of full-day kindergarten classes at Griffin Creek Elementary School are raising money from parents, businesses and foundations to pay for a tuition-funded program starting in January. "The money has to be in the bank up front," Griffin Creek Principal Ginny Hicks said. "That was one of the district’s guidelines." Hicks proposed a tuition-funded all-day kindergarten in August. The Medford school district uses federal Title 1 funds to pay for all-day instruction for kindergartners at seven elementary schools that serve low-income students, but Griffin Creek doesn’t qualify for that program. Hicks wanted to offer full-day classes for those who could contribute to the cost, but her proposal raised concerns about fairness and equality for families who couldn’t afford tuition, and the district halted it. In September, the school board cleared the way for Griffin Creek to start an all-day, tuition-based program in January if its supporters could devise a plan that wouldn’t cost the district anything and would offer financial assistance for low-income students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. Board members plan to evaluate Griffin Creek’s pilot program at the end of the school year. If it proves successful, the district eventually could offer similar programs at its other schools that lack federal funding for all-day kindergarten. Advertisement Hicks estimates that hiring a retired Griffin Creek teacher for the all-day classes for January through June would cost about $30,000 for salary and benefits. Carole Allen, who taught kindergarten and first grade for 30 years at the school, would teach the classes. Students would remain in the regular half-day classes they have attended so far this school year, then spend the other half of the day in Allen’s class, Hicks said. The extended program would start when pupils return from winter break Jan. 3. So far, nine students have signed on to pay and 19 others who want to attend qualify for scholarships based on the free- or reduced-price-lunch guidelines. The school has 78 kindergartners. The cost per student could run as much as $1,600 for the half year, although the final tuition hasn’t been set, Hicks said. Families must pay by Dec. 1. Linda Evans, a retired vice principal from North Medford High School who co-owns Jacksonville Inn with her husband, Jerry, has volunteered to help raise money for scholarships. She is contacting foundations now and said people seem interested in helping. She hopes to know within a month if the program has received adequate funding. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers