SOUTH BEND – Even in light of an estimated $133,000 funding shortage, school trustees are considering implementing a full-day kindergarten program for all students starting in August.

And a decision, one way or the other, should come quickly.

Superintendent Robert L. Zimmerman is proposing the South Bend Community School Corp. take advantage of a state grant to expand what it already has in place in terms of full-day kindergarten.

"If we decide to do this," Zimmerman told trustees during Tuesday night’s 3½-hour school board meeting, "we have to do it quickly."

Zimmerman projected the total cost to implement a full-day kindergarten program to accommodate 1,600 students would be $5.1 million. That cost would include roughly 10 extra teachers and their training and additional furniture and supplies for 10 extra full-day kindergarten classrooms.

The bulk of the funding would come from the state through average daily attendance numbers and the state’s full-day kindergarten grant.

Currently most of the corporation’s full-day kindergarten classes are subsidized through federal Title I funding. Zimmerman said the additional state grant money would save the corporation nearly $900,000 by reassigning Title I money to programs that are currently paid for from the general fund.

However, some board members questioned how that could be possible.

Zimmerman also projected a savings of $175,000 in transportation costs by eliminating the noon bus routes required by half-day classes.

At the end of Zimmerman’s projected balance sheet is a deficit of $133,252 that would have to come from the general fund.

"We feel comfortable we can do that," Zimmerman said. "We feel it will have a very, very positive payout for the kids."

The corporation has made a practice of offering full-day kindergarten to all of its students who qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Linda Lucy, a kindergarten teacher of 33 years, spoke toward the end of Tuesday’s marathon board meeting.

She told trustees that it is past time for the corporation to offer full-day kindergarten to all of its students.

"It all comes down to priorities and equity," Lucy said. "I hope this is something we’re going to do."

Trustee Ralph Pieniazkiewicz agreed.

"If you offer it to one child," he said, "you should offer it to all kids."

Trustee Kim Barnbrook said she is obviously a supporter of full-day kindergarten, but is uneasy about many of the funding uncertainties.

She requested that the board schedule another working session to take a closer look at the fiscal points.

The board agree to hold that working session Monday.

Barnbrook seemed frustrated that Zimmerman outlined the proposal Tuesday, and essentially said a decision needs to be made at the next meeting in two weeks.

"We didn’t even know we were going to discuss this tonight," Barnbrook said. "I don’t want to promise anything I can’t deliver."

Zimmerman said that the reason full-day kindergarten hadn’t been proposed before Tuesday was the corporation was waiting to see and analyze what the state legislature had done with funding during its short session that ended earlier this year.

In order to implement full-day kindergarten for next school year, Zimmerman said, the board would have to approve the proposal May 5.

On May 6 the administration would begin to modify its staffing and transportation plans, develop its staff, order furniture and prepare for enrollment.

The first day of school will be Aug. 12.

"I know it seems like this comes at the last minute," Zimmerman said. "… We’re not asking for a decision tonight."

Trustee Marcia Hummel said this latest proposal creates even more work for the corporation’s personnel who already are busy implementing five new magnet schools in time for August’s start date.

"This should have been brought to us months ago," Hummel said. "I don’t know how we can make decisions (this late) and expect the staff to carry it out."

Like Barnbrook, Hummel is concerned the corporation may overextend itself financially with the program should circumstances not fall favorably the next couple years with state funding.

"It’s very hard to introduce," Hummel said, "then take away."

Board secretary Dawn Jones said she believes the potential impact of a full-day kindergarten program for all kids far outweighs the potential financial risk the next few years.

"I really believe we need full-day kindergarten," Jones said. "To me, $133,000 is (nothing) compared to what these children are gaining in the future. We can’t afford not to do it."

Zimmerman emphasized that the $133,000 shortfall is indeed an estimate. It could be less, he said, or it could be more.

It all depends on how many students enroll in full-day kindergarten statewide and how much money the state will end up giving the corporation per child.

"While there are risks," Zimmerman said, "We feel the risks are manageable."