Letter: Taxpayers shouldn’t cover full-day kindergarten

I was just reading the article on the Mascenic school budget, and there was one thing that bothered me. I am speaking of full-day kindergarten.

It said that 83 percent of the district's parents are for it. I'm not surprised, as I am sure parents paying for a before- or after-school day care or sitter costs them more as individuals than the increase to all of our property taxes will be. I have always voted for the schools, library, fire, police and EMT budgets, regardless of increases to my taxes, but I disagree with full-day kindergarten.

These babies are not ready for a seven-hour school day plus bus time. While the article says research does not support half-day kindergarten, I would bet you can find opposing research, as well. Teachers are not babysitters, but it seems as if that is exactly what 83 percent of this district's parents think they are.

I don't mind my taxes paying for our schools. I do not want to cover full-day kindergarten so parents don't have to pay for pre- or after-school care. I speak not only as a resident, but as a retired 20 year veteran Mascenic teacher, mother, and grandmother.  

Corinne Joly

New Ipswich

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