The school district's consideration of a full-day kindergarten program is angering many residents, a large group of whom attended the March 21st meeting of the Garden City Board of Education. School Board President Kenneth Monaghan said the Board will announce the district's decision at the work session on April 11th.

Monaghan said the Board and administrators were familiar with arguments on both sides of the issue. Besides receiving letters and phone calls, Board members heard from several parents at the January 26th Board meeting. The Board also listened to Dr. Mark Rosenbaum, interim assistant to the superintendent, who supported the district's move from an extended- to a full-day kindergarten program after citing several studies touting its effectiveness at a Feb. 14th work session.

Opponents believe that administrators should give the current extended-day program, which began in September, more time so its effectiveness can be properly gauged. Some parents are worried that a full-day program is too demanding and exhausting for children. One of the biggest concerns is the possible loss of one-on-one time as the number of students in a class increases.

Currently, students are divided into two groups. Each group meets for three full days and two half days. On Wednesdays both groups are taught together for a full day. Under a full-day program, the day would be arranged so students learn in a relaxed environment, according to Dr. Marylou McDermott, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She said kindergarten teachers are happy with the current program and also see the merit of moving to full day. Carlo Rebolini, president of the Garden City Teachers Association, said he is confident that teachers are being given a proper forum to voice any concerns they may have about the change.

A resident who has several nieces and nephews in the school system argued that the district has not given the current program enough time. "Let Garden City be a leader," she said. "Don't follow everybody else...Be innovative. Don't be afraid. Let Garden City be the town it's always been-the little oasis we all moved to. We like it that way."

Michael Milbury has a five-year-old son in kindergarten that comes home with a sore stomach he claims is caused by stress. "I'm worried about my kid," said Milbury. "I don't think I need the extra five points on his SAT when he's 18 because he's going to five full days. I'd rather have him home." Milbury asked the Board to give the current program a few years before making a decision.

Monaghan responded that the state has raised academic requirements and elementary school teachers have commented that students are not as well prepared. "One of the reasons we're making this shift in the program is not to get an extra five points for your child, or any child, on the SATs, but because we recognize that the demands of the system in terms of what the state is expecting your child will accomplish...they have raised the bar." He said the decision will not be made based on finances or public pressure, but on the reality of more vigorous curriculum requirements.

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Superintendent Dr. Stephen Leitman urged residents to send letters to their state senators and congress people in opposition to the flurry of additional unfunded testing requirements that the federal government has mandated under the No Child Left Behind Act. He believes that the federal government has become excessively intrusive in the day-to-day operation of public education.

Even though he is retiring in July, Dr. Leitman said he is very upset about this issue. He believes that testing should be done in schools that have poor performance records. Other districts that do well, like Garden City, should be allowed to spend their time and money educating students.

The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002 and requires that each state must measure every child's progress in reading and math in each of grades 3 through 8 and at least once during grades 10 through 12. The assessment will be expensive, according to Dr. Leitman, since the district will cover the cost of purchasing, administering and grading the exams. He said the district will also pay for substitutes while classroom teachers are grading.

PTA President Maureen Cornacchia asked the Board to make school security a higher priority. Monaghan responded that John Powell, assistant superintendent for business and finance, will investigate firms to do a professional security evaluation. He acknowledged that it has taken the district longer than the Board would have liked to move this issue along.

Dr. Leitman and the Board honored five high school students who were recently named National Merit Finalists: Debbie Chiang, Jean Cui, Ryan Joyce, James Nugent and Christine O'Conor. Dr. Leitman commended the students, their parents and teachers for helping students achieve this distinguished accomplishment.

A budget work session was held after the regular meeting. Dr. Leitman and Powell presented the non-instructional components of the proposed budget, which include general support, transportation and community activities.