Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... Project will close Scott St. overpass through October......... ND brucellosis order still stands for MT beef imports......... New dean hired for UM Law School......... Prescription drugs are Indian Country 'monster'......... Local News......... Jury acquits ex-Griz Wilson in second murder trial........Lincoln County sheriff recall petitions approved........Warrants suggest evidence tampering in Seeley Lake hit-and-run........Defendant pleads guilty to embezzling $800,000 from Missoula bank........Pearly white fight - Burtello Salon owner, state board face off over teeth-whitening procedure........BNSF comes clean in Whitefish, but residents skeptical about contamination........

HELENA - A Democratic all-day kindergarten proposal backed by the Schweitzer administration that enjoyed bipartisan support in the Senate faces a more difficult road in the closely divided House.

But Senate Majority Leader Carol Williams, D-Missoula, said the merits of the measure, which would provide $26 million in state money over the next two years to school districts that choose to offer the program, are so great that it will ultimately become law.

"Full-time kindergarten is the best investment this Legislature can make in Montana," she told the House Education Committee Wednesday.

Normally, the Republican-controlled committee must approve the bill before it can be voted on by the full House, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 50-49. But the bill can also be "blasted" out of the committee onto the House floor for a vote without the panel's approval. Sixty votes are needed to pass such a motion.

Williams said she thinks there's enough support to get the idea on the House floor.

All-day kindergarten "is so well supported by Montanans that it is hard for Republicans to turn their back on this," she said.

The chairman of the House Education Committee, Constitution Party Rep. Rick Jore of Ronan, said he does not support state funding for all-day kindergarten. Committee member Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, also opposes the bill and called it a way to "institutionalize and govermentize kids at a younger age."

"It's more dangerous than people think," he said.

Dozens of parents and school officials turned out in support of the bill, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch. She said multiple studies show all-day kindergarten produces smarter, more socially adjusted students who go on to live more productive lives.

"This is not only great education, but great economic development for Montana," she said.

Currently, Montana's public schools are obligated to provide half-day kindergarten, although attendance is not required. All-day kindergarten is now available at 89 schools in the state, according to Office of Public Instruction officials.

Several parents and teachers turned out to oppose the bill. They said all-day kindergarten was a "slap in the face to taxpayers" and was "too much, too soon" for 5-year-old children.

A similar kindergarten plan included in Gov. Brian Schweitzer's school funding legislation was heard by the committee last week.

The panel took no further action on either bill.

Williams' bill is Senate Bill 123. Schweitzer's bill is Senate Bill 152.

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---