Boyertown Area School District receives feasibility study outlining four paths to full‑day kindergarten, estimates modular option at $3.93 million

Assistant Superintendent Mr. Stout introduced an outside feasibility study on all‑day kindergarten for the Boyertown Area School District, presented by consultant Dr. Kochenauer of Steps to Achieve.

Dr. Kochenauer said the study's outreach generated nearly 1,500 survey responses across parents (903), staff (261) and community members (332) and reported that about 89.1% of parent responses were either positive or neutral toward full‑day kindergarten. "I have never had a response rate like this," she told the board as she summarized results and concerns.

The study described four implementation options. Option 1 would keep students in their current schools and add modular classrooms to Boyertown Elementary; the consultant provided a middle‑range estimate for that approach of $3,925,500, noting site work, plumbing and electrical needs can materially raise or lower the cost. Option 2 would also leave students in their home schools but place a cap on enrollments or move fifth grade to West to free space. Option 3 would create two K–2 primary centers and convert remaining buildings to grades 3–5 to reduce young students' transportation time. Option 4 would move fifth grade into a middle school academy model, with increased transportation costs and more complex reconfiguration.

The presentation emphasized that current curricula and many instructional materials assume full‑day attendance, and that a successful transition would require professional development, MTSS alignment and additional intervention staffing. The consultant presented rough staffing estimates (example: 10 new teachers at roughly $90,000 each; paraprofessionals and specials staffing) and noted food‑service and scheduling implications.

Board members pressed on survey methodology and representativeness. Mr. Uptegrove asked how parents were reached; administration said the parent survey was distributed through the district’s Infinite Campus portal and that 903 individual responses were recorded. Members noted outreach challenges for seniors and other residents who may not use digital channels and questioned whether multiple household members could skew counts.

Administration recommended the board consider a March timeline to decide whether to direct staff to plan for all‑day kindergarten for the 2027–28 school year and, if so, to authorize professional services (architect/engineer) to create more precise cost and siting estimates. The board did not take a final vote on implementation at the Feb. 10 meeting; members asked for additional analysis, possible site visits to districts using modular classrooms and more detailed redistricting and cost breakdowns before committing to professional services or contracts.

The district indicated it would phase budgeting for the work across multiple years to spread affordability and that any capital decisions would include further public discussion. Next procedural steps: administration suggested the topic be placed on the agenda for the March committee meetings and the March legislative meeting for any motion or direction from the board.