Fri, Jul 18 2008
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Published April 04, 2008 07:35 pm - PITTSBURG, Kan. — Citing statewide enrollment trends, Pittsburg School District officials are hoping to pass a $6.1 million bond issue to add classrooms to accommodate all-day kindergarten classes at the district’s four elementary schools. $6.1 million bond would add 25 classrooms to Pittsburg district By Greg Grisolano ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com PITTSBURG, Kan. — Citing statewide enrollment trends, Pittsburg School District officials are hoping to pass a $6.1 million bond issue to add classrooms to accommodate all-day kindergarten classes at the district’s four elementary schools. The bond issue will be on the ballot in a special election Tuesday. A simple majority is required for passage. Superintendent Gary Price said the funds would be used to add 25 classrooms to the district’s four elementary schools to accommodate growth needs and provide space for all-day kindergarten districtwide. “Our enrollment used to be 180 to 190 kindergartners districtwide,” he said. “Now it’s about 220 per year, and we’ve eaten up our music and art rooms.” Enrollment has increased every year since 2002, Price said, putting a strain on available classroom space. Proceeds from the bond issue would add about 25 new classrooms, including eight at Lakeside, six each at Westside and George Nettels, and five at Meadowlark. The bond issue would also be used on furniture and equipment, storm shelters at each school, and to purchase property near Westside Elementary School to replace playground space that would be lost by the new construction. One parent of a Westside Elementary kindergartner said he believes his child would like attending all-day kindergarten. “Twice a week, she goes to the after-school program and those are her favorite days,” said Eric Dutton, whose daughter, Isabel, attends the school’s afternoon session. “She likes it.” While his daughter may be in favor, Dutton said he hasn’t done enough research yet to determine if he will support the bond in the upcoming election. “Frankly, I haven’t heard much about the bond issue,” he said. “It seems like I’ve heard some evidence that all-day kindergarten isn’t terribly effective. If that’s the case, I think it’d be silly to vote for an increase.” But Alexa Posny, the state commissioner of education, said she believes all-day kindergarten provides significant benefits for children. “Play is learning,” Posny said. “When they have free time it allows them to engage their minds, in problem-solving, in building.” 
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