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Willington committee to evaluate four kindergarten waiver requests as state phases out early‑admission waivers
Summary
Facing a state phase‑out of early‑admission waivers after 2027, the Willington policy subcommittee agreed to adopt model language that allows the district to assess four already‑filed requests for early kindergarten entry for 2026–27; after the statutory phase‑out, the waiver process will no longer be available.
The Willington policy subcommittee discussed state changes to ages of attendance and agreed the district needs a written policy to evaluate existing requests for early kindergarten admission.
The chair (S1) said state phase‑in rules allow a waiver process in the current (phase one) period but that the ability to grant waivers will be eliminated in the next (phase two) stage after July 1, 2027. "Next year is the last year a family can request a waiver to enter kindergarten without their child turning 5 before September 1st," the chair said, noting the district currently has four written parental requests for waivers.
Committee members said it would be unfair to reverse or refuse to evaluate those already submitted in good faith. One member (S2) said, "I feel like it would be not great to reverse evaluating those students based on the fact that they applied in good faith." The chair confirmed that if the district has a policy, staff are required to assess applicants and offer kindergarten placements to those whose assessments show they are ready; children who do not qualify would wait until the next school year.
The committee discussed timing for sending the model policy to the full board and the logistics of assessing applicants during late spring and summer; members supported moving a short policy to the board in May so assessments can proceed for the 2026/27 year. The chair also said the district would need to remove waiver language from policy when the statutory phase‑out takes effect.
Next steps: committee to forward the ages‑of‑attendance policy (model language with waiver provisions for 2026/27) to the full board and to ensure staff have an assessment process in place for current applicants.
