Weston School Board OKs Budget, Full-Day Kindergarten

Applauding 's financial acumen, Weston's Board of Education unanimously approved her $45.58 million budget for the 2012-2013 school year at its regular board meeting Monday night at the .

The number represents a over the current operating budget.

Board member Richard Bochinski lauded a "terrific administration that has saved money" without cutting programs. He said neighboring communities are asking for much larger increases and said Weston has been coming in with "the most responsible budgets."

Dana Levin and Ellen Uzenoff, board members, complimented Palmer on her transparency and on the clarity of her budget.

"I'm very satisfied," Uzenoff said.

Full-day kindergarten

At the meeting, the school board also approved upgrading its modified full-day kindergarten program — where students attend full-day classes twice a week — to full-fledged full-day kindergarten program starting next school year.

"We already have full-time staff in position," said Tom Scarice, assistant superintendent, adding the budget impact will be negligible.

For the first three weeks of school next year, kindergartners will have shortened days wherein the teachers can have one-on-one assessments so as to provide a "seamless transition" for the students, Palmer said.

Levin said the move was the "next logical step" for the district.