BUTLER TWP — Butler Superintendent Brian White is proposing the district switch to full-day kindergarten for the 2018-19 school year.

The proposal was introduced Monday by White, who shared a letter and packet of information outlining his plans that will soon be distributed to teachers and district residents.

White discussed numerous tentative plans with the school board Monday night, as the administration continues to work on a budget proposal and a strategic plan.

A full-day program will allow more students to reach the district's goal of all students being able to read by the end of third grade.

Studies have shown that full-day kindergarten helps students achieve academically not only at age 5, but throughout their entire education, White said.

The administration is still working toward presenting a balanced budget for next year, though full-day kindergarten means significant changes in staffing.

“This is not a cheap endeavor,” White said.

White said he anticipates 23 sections of kindergarten with 20 students per class — totaling 460 students. This year the district has about 400 kindergarten students, but White said the full-day program will likely attract families from outside the district.

By eliminating the mid-day bus runs required with half-day kindergarten, the district would save $218,000 in transportation costs, he said.

To have a balanced budget White said he is recommending the district employ 472 teachers next year. This year the district has 486.5 teachers and it has been notified of 11 retirements so far, White said. No furloughs are expected.

Several school board members present Monday voiced their support for full-day kindergarten.

“I almost want to cry with joy. Full-day kindergarten and reading by the third grade will have a significant impact on our families and our entire community,” board member Bill Halle said.

Board member Al Vavro was also supportive.

“We've got to get out of the industrial age and we have to get into the information age and I think this helps us do that,” he said.

The administration is proposing reducing the number of elementary reading specialists from 23 to 14 and increasing the number of kindergarten teachers from 12.5 to 23.

The district will invest $3,000 on each of the reading specialists for training and professional development.

“In the past, they really have been left to scrounge for resources to provide interventions for their kiddos,” White said.

In Butler County, the Karns City and Slippery Rock school districts offer full-day kindergarten.