West of the I

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The Bristol School District is still considering starting a 4-year-old kindergarten program, and a decision may be imminent.

District administrator Gale Ryczek said at Tuesday’s School Board meeting that a decision on starting the  program should be made by next month’s meting.

“It’s caused a lot of conversation,” Ryczek said.

There is support amongst Bristol parents for the program and the opinions of administrators at districts that have 4K are also favorable, Ryczek said.

“There’s really good reasons to have it,” Ryczek said. Those reasons include better preparation for kindergarten. Another reason — not discussed Tuesday — that districts implement 4K is it increases student population which increases state aid.

Hurdles for Bristol include transportation arrangements, cost and  finding space to house the program. If current open space in the building is used, then the district might lose some flexibility if it needed another classroom for some reason. Ryczek also has scouted some remote locations, but that brings further challenges.

“It’s just a matter of money,” Ryczek said. “There is the support out there for it.”

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Bristol School will be accepting a smaller group of open enrollment students this year than in recent years.

Tuesday night, the School Board approved accepting 21 students. In recent years, the district has often accepted double that number, said district administrator Gale Ryczek said.

The reason for the lower amount is the building is nearing its optimal capacity, Ryczek said.

“The message is going to be getting out that getting into Bristol is going to be more difficult,” Ryczek said.

The district had 69 students apply for open enrollment admission to Bristol. That number also is down, Ryczek said. Last year the district received over 100 applications.

Open enrollment allows public school students who reside in one district to attend school tuition free in another district, if accepted. School districts often try to encourage incoming open enrollment to increase per student state aid.

Bristol will pick which specific students are offered slots by a lottery. The remaining students then will put on a waiting list.

The district has to notify the selected students by April and they then have until July to notify the school if they will attend.

If openings develop, student can be offered slots from the waiting list.