Parents urge Abington Heights to adopt full‑day kindergarten amid state funding increase
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Summary
A parent speaker told the board that Pennsylvania's 2025–26 budget added hundreds of millions for K–12 and urged the district to use the moment to plan and implement full‑day kindergarten, citing equity and benefits for students with IEPs/504 plans.
A parent urged the Abington Heights School District board on Nov. 19 to direct district leaders to prepare a plan and timeline for full‑day kindergarten after the Pennsylvania 2025–26 budget added new K–12 funding.
Caitlin Keim, who said she is speaking as both a parent and community member, cited large increases in the state budget — noting multiple line items that together add more than $900 million for pre‑K–12 programs statewide — and asked the board to "act now to take full advantage of this funding moment and begin the transition to full day kindergarten." She framed the request as an equity issue for students with individualized education plans and 504 plans, saying a full‑day program "provides time to meet those needs more effectively than a half day schedule."
Keim urged the board to "direct district leadership to develop a clear plan and timeline for full day kindergarten" and said local volunteers with relevant professional experience are willing to help with planning and implementation.
Board context: presenters at the meeting noted the state 'ready‑to‑learn' block grant and other budget increases that have improved the district's near‑term budget position, but administrators also cautioned those funds may be one‑time and that other cost drivers (special education and health care) remain.
Next steps: Keim asked for a formal board directive to develop an implementation plan; the board did not announce a formal vote on that request during the meeting.
Provenance: Public comment by Caitlin Keim at SEG 511–SEG 588.