First Selectman Statement on Implementation of Full Day Kindergarten for 2012-2013 School Year
May 1, 2012 - - First Selectman Timothy M. Herbst expressed thanks and praise to all involved parties for a budget process that will allow the Town to move forward with full day kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. Last week, the Board of Finance voted 5-1 to allow the Board of Education to create a non-lapsing account in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes 10-248(a). The Board of Education is projecting a surplus for the current fiscal year. The surplus will be deposited into the non-lapsing account effective July 1, 2012. With the approved education budget increase of 3.47%, the Board of Education will be able to utilize this alternate revenue source to maintain a core budget, restore positions lost last year and also fund full day kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year.
"This was a true bipartisan effort and I want to thank everyone involved in the process for making this important early childhood initiative a reality. I especially want to thank the School Superintendent, the Board of Education, Board of Finance and Town Council for the strong leadership they have shown throughout this process. We all have stayed focused on the goal and this hard work has paid off." The First Selectman indicated that this budget cycle provided a unique opportunity to implement full day kindergarten. "Every Trumbull resident should be proud of what we have accomplished this year," stated the First Selectman. "We have been able to maintain services, restore positions, double senior tax relief and implement full day kindergarten, while giving residential homeowners a property tax decrease for the first time since 1983. As other communities struggle to strike the appropriate
balance, in Trumbull we are setting the example."
Today, School Superintendent Ralph Iassogna sent a letter to Trumbull parents and the community advising that the district would proceed with the implementation of full day kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year.
In his letter, the Superintendent wrote, "through the ongoing efforts of the Board of Education, and the funding support of the First Selectman, the Board of Finance and the Town Council, the Trumbull Public Schools will embark on a new initiative that will expand our instructional program for our incoming kindergarten youngsters. Effective August 30, the district will be providing a Full Day Kindergarten Program (FDK) at each elementary school." The Superintendent went on to offer excitement about the implementation of the Full Day Kindergarten program.
"Trumbull Public Schools is excited to embark on this new initiative and is confident that youngsters will be provided a developmentally appropriate, child-centered and well-balanced program that will address one's needs; and ultimately result in each child profiting from increased academic success, positive behavior and social adjustment."