Butler schools Superintendent Brian White this week proposed a switch to full-day kindergarten for the 2018-19 school year. His administration appears to have solid backing from the school board, particularly as White showed how his concept — which “is not a cheap endeavor,” he warned — can be achieved without increasing property taxes or cutting staff. The most important impact would be a goal of 100 percent reading ability by all pupils by the third grade.

From a practical aspect, full-day kindergarten gives teachers more time to get to know the children and identify and address their learning challenges early — saving money and resources over the long term and increasing the odds that children will be successful later in school.

As a community, we must pursue this goal. We must back this measure and introduce full-time kindergarten to the district.

Here’s what the National Education Association says about full-day kindergarten:

It is cost effective: Investments in early childhood programs generate returns of 3-to-1 or even higher, which translates to $3 saved for every $1 invested. An early investment in children’s social, emotional and intellectual skills means lower grade retention and dropout rates for students later in life.

It results in healthier, happier children: Full-day kindergarten offers social, emotional and intellectual benefits, giving children more time to focus and reflect on activities and transition between them. Research shows that 5-year-olds are more than ready for a longer school day — and do better in a setting that allows them time to learn and explore activities in depth.

It increases student achievement: Longitudinal data demonstrate that children in full-day kindergarten classes show greater reading and mathematics achievement gains than those in half-day classes. It can produce long-term educational gains, especially for low-income and minority students.

It better prepares pupils for first grade: Full-day kindergarten provides a bridge between prekindergarten programs and more structured learning in first grade.

It’s preferred by teachers as well as parents: Teachers prefer full-day kindergarten. In a 2000 study, 100 percent of full-day parents and 72 percent of half-day parents noted that, if given the opportunity again, they would have chosen full-day kindergarten for their child. Teachers cite several benefits of having additional time to work with young students.

What’s further, setting a goal like full-day kindergarten says something intentional about us and our school district; specifically, that we won’t accept financial reality as an intellectual limitation. We can resolve to stretch our resources in ways to effect the most good for our children and our community — without coming back to the property owner year after year, asking for a tax increase.

It’s a welcome approach.