Results of Full Day Kindergarten Study to be Presented at Brick BOE Meeting

The results of a demographics study aimed at determining how to implement a full day kindergarten program in the Brick Township school district will be revealed at Thursday night's school board meeting.

The study was conducted by Ross Haber Associates, based in Milltown, Middlesex County. The firm has completed similar studies around the state, officials have said.

"He's done all of his research, and he's now ready to present it to the public," said Board President Sharon Cantillo. "We wanted to share everything with the public, and we want them to be included from the get-go."

In past discussions, school board members have said they favored transitioning the district to a full-day kindergarten program. Brick presently has 25 half-day kindergarten classes, Superintendent Dr. Walter Uszenski has said.

Cantillo said she favors switching to a full day program since studies have shown students perform better over their academic careers if they go to kindergarten full time. Additionally, she said, the state will likely require districts to offer full day classes soon.

A previous look by the district into full day kindergarten classes about a year ago showed the district would have to hire 14 new teachers, plus a part-time teacher at a cost of $983,000 per year in salaries and benefits.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at Brick Township High School at 7 p.m. Thursday night.