GPS Charges For All Day Kindergarten

Full day Kindergarten classes across Gilbert Public Schools will be offered for price beginning 2010-11'. Photo by Jessie Fossenkemper

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Written by Kelly Shepherd - Staff Writer

The Gilbert Public Schools governing board ruled April 2 that as many as 47 kindergarten teachers in the district may be laid off, and most parents who want their children in full-day kindergarten will be asked to pay tuition because of massive state budget cuts. The district said it will start charging for full-day kindergarten and put the changes into effect beginning next year.

Board members said continuing all-day kindergarten would cost the GPS District more than $3 million, and the board felt the money could be better spent in other school related areas. Queen Creek will also charge for kindergarten as well, though it is still not clear how much it will charge for full-day kindergarten in those schools. On the other hand, Mesa Public Schools, Chandler Unified, and Higley Unified school districts have said they will bear the cost of free, full-day kindergarten.

Districts that already have costs include, Prescott, Humboldt, and Chino Valley schools districts will charge $10 per-day per student for all-day kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year. Half-day kindergarten will remain free of charge.