The cost of offering full-day kindergarten to Parkland children for the 2016-17 school year is estimated to be $3.4 million.

Business Manager John Vignone presented the numbers in a report during the school board’s Oct. 20 meeting.

His figures were provided by administrators who are organizing the effort.

A large portion of the cost, $1.2 million, is to cover 17 additional teachers, nine mentors, two paraprofessionals and playground aides.

Staff benefits would come in at $960,623.

To accommodate the extra classes, the district would have to buy furniture, technology materials, equipment and academic resources for reading and language arts at a cost of nearly $1 million.

Portable classrooms would be needed at Jaindl and Fogelsville elementary schools at a cost of $150,000.

Other costs include general supplies and a contingency fund.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak commented on the proposed budget.

“These are very conservative costs at this time,” Sniscak said. “They are in their early stages.

“We’re projecting worst case scenarios. It’s easier to pare down than to add on.”

He said more exact amounts will be available when kindergarten registration is conducted in the new year and staff will have a clearer enrollment count with which to work.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kelly Rosario, and several members of the Early Childhood Literacy Committee enumerated reasons for full-day kindergarten.

Rosario said more time is needed for the rigorous Pennsylvania Core Standards, for children to develop social and emotional skills, and for full preparation to enter first grade.

She said a major goal of full-day kindergarten is to have 100 percent of Parkland students proficient in reading by the end of third grade.

Rosario said of the 653 Parkland third graders who took the PSSA last April, 80 percent were proficient in reading and 10 percent did not meet the criteria for proficiency.

She presented results of a survey sent to households of Parkland students and pre-school providers.

More than 80 percent of the 2,450 responders favored full-day kindergarten.

Sniscak expressed his desire to meet the needs of all Parkland children.

“Our demographics are changing,” Sniscak said. “Ten years ago, 10 percent received free and reduced lunch. Now, it’s over 20 percent.

“We must maintain a high quality program for everyone.”

Rosario said with only half-day kindergarten, the entire time is spent on academics.

She said a full-day program would provide an opportunity for a balance of learning activities and purposeful play.

“The whole idea of a full day is to have time for emotional and social skills by working with other students,” Rosario said.

The board is expected to vote on full-day kindergarten at the Nov. 17 meeting.