The discussion about a full-day kindergarten in Wayne still goes on.
Last year in November the residents of Wayne voted “no” on the proposal of a new program, where the children’s day in kindergarten would be extended. And now, on November 8, people will vote again.
Wayne is the only town in Passaic County that still doesn’t have this opportunity and one of the only towns in the state of New Jersey that does not offer a full-day program. Residents pay high taxes for education, yet, it is still not enough to fund a full day kindergarten program. A decrease in funding towards sports and other activities must take place in order to proceed. But, residents responded negatively to that proposition.
“Wayne has been discussing this issue for over a decade now,” says Crystal Carrafiello, a working mom with two children — one in high school and one kindergarten. “Full-day kindergarten was under consideration when our first son was ready for school. Ten years later, it still hasn’t happened.” She sends her younger son to a private kindergarten.
People in Wayne say most students are already enrolled in full-day preschool and attending half-day kindergarten would be defeating that purpose. After years of trying to find a solution, the next voting will hopefully bring answers.
Representatives from the New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Association of School Administrators and New Jersey Principals and Supervisor Association have backed a New Jersey State bill that would require full-day kindergartens in the 20 percent of the districts in the state that do not already have them.
Longer days for children in kindergarten would mean more teachers and higher taxes. The cost to Wayne taxpayers would be about $2 million.
Last year, the referendum was defeated by a narrow vote of 5,048-to-4,455. Voters will have a chance to decide again this November.