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School board endorses full-day kindergarten

WILTON – The Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board has endorsed full-day kindergarten for a variety of educational reasons, including having all students start first grade at the same level. Many students now come to first grade with little or no educational background, putting them at a disadvantage with those who attended kindergarten.

Lyndeborough member Charlie Post does not agree, preferring to keep the half-day program, mostly because of on-going costs, uncertainty about future state support, and the inconclusiveness of studies. Kindergarten may not provide all that is promised.

Post stated his position at the district budget hearing on Feb. 8, but can he, as a board member, speak against the idea at the district meeting on March 10?

The question was debated at some length at the board’s meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20. It was generally agreed that he could, provided he made it clear he was speaking as an individual and not as a board member. As an individual, he has a right to his opinions.

It was pointed out, however, that the board has a Code of Ethics which says board members will publicly support the board’s decisions. Post, who attended the meeting via telephone, said he would give it some thought.

In other business, Superintendent Bryan Lane reported that two high school students have been accepted into a special job training program, and that the district is “100 percent compliant” with state IEP requirements.

A broken pipe at Lyndeborough Central School has temporarily closed the bathrooms at the SAU office. The rest of the school is not affected.

Last fall, the board adopted a list of goals and objectives for the year.

Chairman Harry Dailey said “some have been attained and others on-going.”

The list includes such objectives as:

• Better tracking of student achievement.

• Recognizing excellence and achievement of both students and staff.

• Improving school pride and morale.

• Finding more interscholastic opportunities, other than sports.

• Create a district-wide calendar.

• Considering a student member of the board.

• Being sure all students know all of their options, four- or two-year college, trade schools, or the military.

• Increasing communications with town officials.

The next meeting of the board will be March 6, 6:30 p.m., at Florence Rideout Elementary School. The Facilities Committee will meet prior to the meeting for a tour of the school.