BUTLER TWP — Before voting 8-0 to adopt full-day kindergarten Monday night, the Butler School Board heard a presentation on the benefits of making the switch from a half-day session.

Julie Hopp, the district's director of curriculum, instruction and professional development, cited research showing that full-day kindergarten and reading skills benefit students throughout their education. Studies have found that 85 percent of juvenile offenders have problems with reading, Hopp said.

The students will have five special periods per week, lunch and a period called “rest” when some students can take a nap. The use of rest time can include instruction as the year goes on, Hopp said.

“As time goes on, there are students who just need the quiet time,” she said.

Brian White, district superintendent, in an interview, said that families who have already enrolled their child in kindergarten will get a letter from the district informing them about the change.

The district will offer these families the chance to meet with the principal of their elementary school. A half-day, morning program will still be offered for next year, because some families had already made arrangements for their children, White said.

Mid-day transportation will not be offered for half-day students.

As of Monday, 264 students were signed up for kindergarten, though the district typically continues to get enrollments through the summer, Hopp said.

In the budgeting process, administrators were anticipating 23 sections of kindergarten with 20 students per class — totaling 460 students. This year the district has about 400 kindergarten students.

Administrators believe a majority of the community supports full-day kindergarten, and that skeptics will be convinced soon.

“When people notice the academic gains students make, more people will be inclined to do full-day kindergarten,” White said.

Kindergarten is not required in Pennsylvania, though very few students enter first grade without having attended a public or private kindergarten program, school officials said.

Butler is not the first district in the county to offer a full-day program for 5-year-olds.

Freeport, Slippery Rock and Karns City school districts already have such programs.

Seneca Valley, Mars, Moniteau, Allegheny-Clarion Valley and South Butler districts do not offer it.

In Allegheny County, 31 of 43 districts offer full-day, Hopp said.