Proposed Kindergarten Budget Move Draws Opposition

One proposed school budget cost reduction the Babylon Board of Education is mulling involves moving to a half-day kindergarten program or eliminating the non-mandated program completely.

The news about the potential move drew many parents to Wednesday night's budget forum event that focused on cost-cutting options to meet the state tax levy cap requirement.

The clear message heard from forum attendees, as well as BOE and district administrators, is that such a cut is not a welcome thought, but given the need to slice nearly $700,000 off this year’s budget, it’s on the list with many other potential moves.

“I’m not in favor of reducing or eliminating kindergarten,” BOE President Dominic Bencivenga said several times during the public forum.

“But everything is on the table at this point and that’s why we’re having this open meeting to get feedback and suggestions,” he said.

Not surprisingly no one spoke in favor of the measure and a half dozen mothers spoke against the proposal.

One resident said many mothers with kindergarten-ready children had already signed the children up for private schools after learning about the potential cut.

“I want to know how many children will be impacted if we do eliminate the program. Cutting kindergarten will also reduce our property values and our students’ competitiveness when they graduate,” she told the board.

The board will hold its next public budget forum during its work study session on February 27 at the high school library at 7 p.m.