Mayor Proposes Free Full-Day Kindergarten
Mayor Rob Dolan wants to eliminate the $2,500 fee for full-day kindergarten in Melrose, saying a confluence of events will help the city financially cover a one-year gap before a boost in state education funding.
Two years after Melrose Public Schools made even more families eligible for free and reduced full-day kindergarten fees, Mayor Rob Dolan is proposing to eliminate the $2,500 fee entirely.
"If we can eliminate the one fee that is an actual educational grade ... that is the greatest blow to a two-tier system of haves and have-nots as it pertains to public schools," Dolan said at a press conference in his office on Monday morning.
Eliminating the fee would be part of Dolan's proposed fiscal 2013 budget that he'll present to the Board of Aldermen in April. The mayor said that based on individual conversations he's had with aldermen and the School Committee, he expects to have support from both boards.
The move would cost approximately $500,000 next school year, but the city's Chapter 70 state education funding would cover the cost of the full-day students in subsequent years.
Currently, Melrose only receives 50 percent of state education funding that it usually receives per student for each full-day kindergarten student whose family pays the current fee, whereas the city would receive full funding for each student who receives free full-day kindergarten.
Dolan said that when Massachusetts first started full-day kindergarten in public schools, the state subsidized the program before eliminating the funding, leading to the institution of the fees. Eliminating the fee leads to a one-year budget gap that Dolan likened to a bridge year before the increased state education funding kicks in.
"You would need a one-time infusion of money to build that bridge, because after you get over that bridge, the coffers are refilled with Chapter 70 money," he said. "It becomes sustainable for the long-term."
Greg Zammuto, Melrose Schools business manager, said that the district typically brings in $450,000 to $500,000 in full-day kindergarten fees depending on the number of students who qualify for a reduced tuition rate.
By offering free full-day kindergarten next school year, according to Zammuto, Melrose would receive an approximate $687,697 increase in Chapter 70 money in fiscal 2014, followed by an increase of $153,857 in fiscal 2015 and subsequent years. (See attached PDF.)
How Does City Fill The Budget Gap Next Year?
Level-funded local aid, a lack of snow deficit and a low health insurance increase would allow the city to fill the one-year financial gap before the boost in state education funding, Dolan said.
Gov. Deval Patrick's fiscal 2013 budget proposal level-funds local aid and provides a bump in Chapter 70 money to Melrose. It'd be the first time since fiscal 2009 that the city wouldn't face a cut in local aid.
State Sen. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, and Rep. Paul Brodeur, D-Melrose, both expressed confidence at Monday's press conference that the city's level-funded local aid would survive this spring's budget process.
"We think we're going to be able to match those numbers," Clark said. "It may come in throughout the year, but sort of mirroring the process that we did last year where cities and towns got a supplemental to their local aid in the fall."
Clark added that the move aligns with the state's focus on the connection between preschool and kindergarten, and aiming for better reading results for third graders in particular.
"Reading by third grade is sort of our highest priority right now," Clark said. "That third grade levels predicts so much for the future that we think this exactly aligns with not only a unique budget year where we can support this from the state level, but also where the state is going on policy around education."
Brodeur echoed Clark and added that free full-day kindergarten was a passion of his when he served as a Melrose alderman at-large.
"We are very excited at the prospect of making this work," he said. "I think it’ll be a real feather in the cap of Melrose and it really will do a lot to sustain and improve what is already an exceptional product here in Melrose."
With regard to the snow budget, Dolan said the city has spent $200,000 on snow removal this light winter after having budgeted $450,000, and usually spends more. That surplus and lack of the usual snow deficit would be used to support full-day kindergarten during the bridge year.
Finally, as a member of the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), Melrose faces an "artificially low" increase in health insurance costs next fiscal year—1.43 percent. The city budgeted for a 6 percent increase, but the growing size of the GIC; a requirement that insurance companies rebid and repropose their GIC plans next year; and a significant drop this past year in health insurance utilization due to GIC increased deductibles and co-payments, all led to the low increase for next year.
"Could any of those three things happen again—level aid, no snow, and the insurance?" Dolan said. "Maybe individually one of those things will happen, but I would put my credibility on the line and say those three things are never going to happen again all at the same time. So it gives us an opportunity to do something significant one time."
Support From Educators, Officials
Melrose School Committee Chairwoman Kristin Thorp said that since the committee first instituted the fee in January 2003, reducing and possibly eliminating the fee has been a priority of the committee.
"We're very excited that the city has given us the opportunity to do this," Thorp said. "In terms of the greater picture of the work going on at the high school, the fields and technology across all of our schools, this is one piece of that puzzle."
Lincoln School Principal Brent Conway said that the bar has been raised with regard to the educational expectations placed on early grades, and with Massachusetts adopting the national Common Core standards, kindergarten is no different. Kindergarten expectations, he said, are particularly demanding in the areas of literacy and numeracy.
"As educators, our greatest resource and our greatest barrier is time," Conway said. "To give every kindergarten student in the entire city a full-day kindergarten experience, that’s where we use our greatest resource of time to make sure that students are prepared and ready to move on into first grade, and be proficient students moving ahead."
Superintendent Joe Casey said that eliminating the fee aligns with Melrose's vision for the future, citing the creation of the Franklin Early Childhood Center as one example of that vision.
"This is just another, but a very important step, to help families move forward and embrace education," Casey said. "You know that you need more today to compete with the global economy."
Dolan also said that the cost of the eliminating the fee would not impact other initiatives next year, such as renovating Melrose High School and infusing the district with new textbooks. He also said that in comparing Melrose to nearby communities with similar socio-economic profiles, Melrose would be the "only community in its socio-economic makeup" to offer free full-day kindergarten, which he said affects both education for Melrose kids and the property values of homeowners.
"This is protecting and adding value to their greatest personal investment, which is their home," he said.
In This article
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Lincoln Elementary School
80 W Wyoming Ave, Melrose, MA -
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Franklin Early Childhood Center
16 Franklin St, Melrose, MA
David Whelan
7:07 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Nice to see Ms. Clark delivering for her hometown. What about the 60 plus communities that DO NOT get their fair chapter 70 allocation? Are her Melrose neighbors and the education of her children more important than the interest of my neighbors and my kids? Looks like the answer is yes.
Daniel DeMaina
9:14 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
David, every time Clark is mentioned in a Patch article, you comment on it, even though you don't live in her district. You OK buddy?
Speaking of Chapter 70 allocation, Clark sponsored a provision in the casino bill that resulted in more Chapter 70 funding for Stoneham, Wakefield and other communities that were paying more than their fair share of education costs (according to the state formula), but didn't boost Melrose's Chapter 70 at all: http://melrose.patch.com/articles/clark-sponsored-provision-in-casino-bill-won-t-boost-melrose-school-funding
It's also worth noting that all Sen. Clark did here is express confidence that the governor's budget numbers would hold throughout the budget process. The eventual boost in Chapter 70 funding that would make this move sustainable for the long-term (if it gets approval from the appropriate city boards) is built into the formula. So in this case, it's really the Chapter 70 funding formula that's delivering for Melrose. I'd add that we all know that the funding formula has its share of critics who've called it unfair, including Sen. Clark and apparently you, David.
David Whelan
12:48 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Melrose is paid at it's fair share per the deeply flawed ch 70 funding formula. Dozens of communities like mime are not. The formula is in dire need of reevaluation and Senator Clark knows that. An evaluation of the formula is mandated under MGL ch 70 sect 4 and that evaluation is required every two years. It hasn't been done in 11 years. She is on the Joint Committee of Education and has some voice in a matter as important at ch 70 and required evaluation. Perhaps she could enlighten folks as to why the study has not been done.
If your litmus test on commenting on matters is predicated upon whether Clark is my senator, then please advise. Also note that I have spoken to my own rep and senator and they are aware of my feelings on the issue.
With a fixed amount of money in the ch 70 pool, a community that either gets its fair share or more than its fair share means that per the formula places like Swampscott, Stoneham, and Wakefield get cheated. Politics over equity. Politics trump the needs of kids and taxayers.
So the question remains: "How is it that the kids and taxpayers are more important in Melrose and Wellesley than those in Stoneham, Wakefield, and Swampscott?"
Daniel DeMaina
12:53 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Thanks for the response David. I wouldn't say where you live is a litmus test at all, you're of course free to comment on anything you wish. I just find it curious that as someone not within the district, you make it a point of always commenting on anything Clark-related on Patch site. You started an argument on an announcement about her office hours. That's well within your right, but for someone who's not a constituent of Clark's, yes, I find it curious and perhaps a bit odd.
I'll draw your attention again to the link above to the article about how Stoneham and Wakefield received an increase in Chapter 70 money (and Melrose received nothing) due to a provision sponsored by Clark. I don't know how that's evidence that kids and taxpayers from Melrose are treated as more important. In fact, it seems to contradict that. Also, in that article she talks directly about the inequity of the funding formula, the same problem you're referring to.
David Whelan
3:01 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Daniel:
Thank you for taking time to speak on the phone. I do hope you ask the Senator for a response to my questions.
David Whelan
Daniel DeMaina
10:37 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thank you for calling me, David. I do appreciate the feedback and apologize for characterizing your comments in any way. Constructive criticism is a vital part of my work, and it's always good to get feedback from people who are passionate about the issues.
Katie
4:11 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I agree that it would be beneficial to have free full day kindergarten in Melrose, however why does this mean half day programs will no longer be available?
Daniel DeMaina
10:41 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Katie, I'd have to double check on why this would mean the elimination of half-day kindergarten. I believe that half-day K enrollment is very low in Melrose—around 10 or less—and the vast majority of parents enroll their children in full-day K, which may factor into this decision, but let me get back to you with answers from the mayor and school officials.
Melinda Antos Curran
12:03 am on Saturday, April 7, 2012
I would LOVE to know the answer this as well! I too agree that having no fee full day kindergarten would be beneficial, but I just don't understand why the half day program can no longer be offered as a result of this proposal being approved. Especially for the 2012-13 school year! Families have already gone through the pre-registration and registration process for 2012-13, and throughout the entire process the half day program was an available option. As a parent who registered her child for the half day program, for personal/parenting philosophy reasons NOT because I didn't want or couldn't afford to pay for the full day program, I feel they (school committee, superintendent, alderman, mayor) should honor my choice. But now I'm being told this most likely will not happen, and this is just devastating to me. I have heard from many people that the only reason Melrose could charge a fee for kindergarten was because they offered a choice between half and full day programs. Take away the choice, then they can't charge a fee. Don't charge the fee for a year (because they can get by on excess money from left over snow removal money), and then they can get Chapter 70 funding for 2013-14 and beyond and no longer need to offer a choice going forward. And Daniel, there are 11 families registered for the half day program for 2012-13.
Daniel DeMaina
3:01 pm on Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thank you for the definitive number, Melinda, and for expressing your stance. I appreciate it.
Daniela Szymczak
9:45 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Mayor Dolan, have you considered using the money to improve the facilities housing our current elementary students (like the Winthrop School) rather than giving the incoming class a "free ride"?
Daniel DeMaina
10:49 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Daniela, I'll have to follow up with the mayor for further feedback, but two things I'll note. First, part of the bond approved in 2010 went towards improving the Winthrop School, notably the HVAC system, which has been a problem in the school since I've been covering it: http://melrose.patch.com/articles/aldermen-give-initial-ok-to-26m-bond-for-school-dpw-projects ... I'll have to check to see what further plans the city has for the building, which we all know is tired.
Second, during the press conference, Dolan said that his priority as "one School Committee member" is the Melrose High School facility, which was placed on warning by NEASC in part because of the building's condition. "If Greg Zammuto has a dime – it’s going to Melrose High School. There’s no question about it," Dolan said. (As usual, these press conferences and quotes are usually so long that culling the final article down to a manageable, readable length is arduous, to say the least.)
Again, I'll have to follow up for more feedback, and I'm sure your question is on the mind of others as well. Thank you for weighing in.
Dave Gray
11:19 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Yikes! I'm staying away from this one, except to say that the Ch70 formula is completely unfair to some towns - Wakefield comes immediately to mind. Sen. Clark does say all the right things about the inequity, but somehow nothing ever seems to get done to correct it.
Daniel DeMaina
10:52 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Heh heh ... it's OK Dave, jump into the pool. I particularly like your hard-nosed opinions. It's healthy and good.
What you said about "somehow nothing ever seems to get done to correct it" is partly what David and I talked about (forgive me David for expounding upon that here). There's a lot of frustration out there, it seems, because elected officials acknowledge the inequities in the Chapter 70 formula and people are looking for action.
Dave Gray
6:16 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
That's the question, isn't it? If it's so obviously out of whack, why hasn't it been fixed? The answer is politics. Take Sen Clark, for example, who represents both Melrose and Wakefield. In order to get Wakefield it's fair share, it probably means Melrose would get less. Now, while people in Melrose acknowledge the formula is unfair, would they be in favor of getting less so Wakefield could get more? Unlikely, considering the state of the Melrose school budget. So in order to serve her Wakefield constituents, she'd have to alienate her Melrose constituents, of which there are considerably more. Wakefield gets a double whammy in that regard, in that it's in two split House districts, so it's underrepresented across the board.
Given the "political" considerations, I don't think the current Ch 70 is fixable. I'd rather see the whole thing repealed and a simpler formula adopted. You could award a certain amount per pupil statewide, and add a multiplier for percentage above the federal poverty level of the median income for that town. The further above the federal level, the smaller the multiplier.
Daniel DeMaina
6:23 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Great insight Dave, thanks for this. To pull another legislator's name into the discussion, your comment about seeing the whole thing repealed reminded me of what Rep. Paul Brodeur, who represents Melrose and part of Wakefield, told me when he was running for the House of Representatives: "I think you have to scrap it and start from square one. When you can't explain to someone—and I don't think I can fully explain the funding formula—when government can't explain itself, government's got a problem."
More of what Brodeur had to say about Chapter 70 is in this Q&A: http://melrose.patch.com/articles/candidate-qa-state-rep-candidate-paul-brodeur
Dave Gray
6:46 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Paul's a bright guy, and he's right - if you can't explain it, you shouldn't be doing it. He's also right when he says Wakefield's numbers are simply unexplainable. Will he able to do anything about it given the current rules and given politics? What do you think? I won't hold my breath.
David Whelan
6:49 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
So where is Brodeur's bill rectifying the problem? Problem is that Leadership doesn't want the problem fixed and folks like Clark and Brodeur don't want to annoy Leadeship.
Daniel DeMaina
6:55 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
*nodding* And I think we've come back to the point of frustration, David, where legislators acknowledge the inequity in the formula, but the problem hasn't been rectified.
I'd be interested to get your thoughts on this bill, David—filed by Clark and others, it would establish a "Chapter 70 Equalization Fund, to meet the deficiencies in the base Chapter 70 aid:" http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S00189 ... looks like it didn't go anywhere last year.
David Whelan
7:27 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
All bills filed last Yr and not reported out of the Jt Ed Committee died a week ago. Leadership (or lack of) does what they think is best and until rank and file members like Clark and Brodeur elect new people nothing will change. That's why folks like Clark and Brodeur need to go.
David Whelan
7:35 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Remember how we define insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result! The ch 70 formula is insane in it's complexity. Ask Brodeur. Cheating the kids and taxpayers in Wakefield over and over Yr after Yr is insane.
Jean Smith
10:24 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Why not keep the cost for kindergarten and use the money to fix the High School????
Daniel DeMaina
1:43 am on Sunday, April 1, 2012
Jean, from the article: "Dolan also said that the cost of the eliminating the fee would not impact other initiatives next year, such as renovating Melrose High School." The mayor also expounded upon that during the press conference, saying that plans to renovate Melrose High School are still on track and, he said, it remains his top priority (also see my response to Daniela above).
Funding for that work will come in the form of a bond/borrowing that the city will pay off over a number of years, most likely, rather than the unique one-time savings enumerated above that the city would use to eliminate the kindergarten fee. On Monday, April 2, a bond for $250K goes before the aldermen to fund design and project management services for MHS improvements.
patricia wright
9:38 am on Sunday, April 1, 2012
Hi Dan. I'm with Dave on this one. Clark has not delivered or sponsored one notable piece of legislation since she's been at the state house. (I don't count her bill sponsoring restraining orders to extend to family pets as notable....absurd is more like it) The allocation of funding to the charter schools is also inherently unfair yet she clams up any time the topic is discussed and it most likely will not be up for discussing in another few years) She voted for Sal DiMase for cripes sake! She is an empty suit. A well educated empty suit and a sheep none the less. Dave is not alone.
Daniel DeMaina
9:36 pm on Sunday, April 1, 2012
Hi Patty, thanks for weighing in here.