On Tuesday, February 6th, the School Committee approved the district’s recommendation to implement full-day kindergarten for Pembroke Public Schools beginning with 2018-2019 school year. This vote eliminates the tuition and lottery system previously associated with the full-day kindergarten program. All Pembroke Kindergarten students will now have the opportunity to benefit from the programming offered in a full-day setting. The change to a universal-full day kindergarten program has been a long range goal of Superintendent Obey. Year 1 of the change (SY18-19), is no increase in our operating budget and in subsequent years, the program will fund itself through the increase in the Chapter 70 formula. Chapter 70 is the main funding source for school budgets, the funding allotted for free full day kindergartners vs. tuition based kindergartners will account for the cost associated with the programmatic shift. It is important to note that the school district will no longer have a separate half-day kindergarten program. With the change to a full-day tuition free program, Pembroke joins the majority of communities across the state who have transitioned to a full-day program to foster student achievement.
Information around kindergarten registration and screening will be sent out in late February, early March.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the program by selecting the Kindergarten topic button on Let’s Talk!
