All-day kindergarten near in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – All-day kindergarten could become a reality in Swampscott this fall.Superintendent Matthew Malone said the district received a grant to help fund all-day kindergarten.”We are moving forward with this,” he said. “Our goal is to roll it out this fall in all the schools. The grant specifically says to roll it out in all the schools.”Malone said the $105,000 grant would cover approximately 75 percent of the costs associated with the program.”It’s a one year grant,” he said. “It’s seed money to start the program and then we have to fund it ourselves.”School Committee Chairman David Whelan said even though the grant doesn’t cover the entire cost of the program it’s a step in the right direction.”Our expectation is all-day kindergarten will become a reality in the fall,” he said. Sen. (Thomas) McGee (D-Lynn) was very instrumental in helping us secure this grant. It brings us a step closer to getting our fair share of the pie.”McGee said he was pleased to be able to assist the town in securing the grant.”I know how important it is to give kids a leg up so they can excel,” he said. “The grants were competitive and it’s a credit to Swampscott for making the commitment to implement all-day kindergarten and putting together a strong proposal.”Malone said research proves all-day kindergarten benefits students and sets the stage for future success. He said it is impossible to operate a 21st century school system without an all-day kindergarten program.Malone said he expects all-day kindergarten would cost $150,000 a year and the grant would give the district $105,000 for only the first year.Despite the grant to pay for a portion of the costs associated with implementing the program, Malone said he still has to bridge the $1.5 million gap between his recommended budget and the amount the town has allotted for the schools.