INDIANAPOLIS -
The governor promised full-day kindergarten for all Indiana school districts this year, but some families are finding out there's no room for them, just days before school starts.
It comes down to money, demand and classrooms.
That's what Eyewitness News found out in Washington Township, where there are just two vacant classrooms district-wide, to handle any unexpected shifts in elementary enrollment. So for now full-day kindergarten has found its limits.
Full-day kindergarten at John Strange Elementary is taking on a new meaning these days.
"It's too full," said Rachel Davis.
Davis just found out there's no more room for her five-year-old daughter Savannah in any of the six new full-day kindergarten classes at the school, set to begin on Monday.
"I was hoping that she would get into all-day, it would be more convenient and she would definitely get more time to learn," said Davis.
Eyewitness News asked Savannah about she expected, "What do you think you'll like about school? Do you like to read or draw? What do you like to do?"
"I like to draw," she said.
"What do you like to draw most?," asked Eyewitness News.
"Stars," she said with a smile.
Instead, the budding little star will attend classes twice a week and every other Friday as part of an alternative plan put into place in Washington Township, where kindergarten enrollment increased by as many as 150 five- and six-year olds.
The numbers have also been spiking statewide. In the 2005-06 school year, state grants supported just over 10,000 full-day kindergartners. Last year, that number was more than 66,000.
Back in April, Governor Mitch Daniels announced even more funding for full-day kindergarten programs.
"By the addition of $150 million for K-12 education, with a quarter of that being used to complete the extension of full-day kindergarten to every school district in the state," Daniels said.
No doubt, more students are attending free full-day kindergarten programs across the state, but dozens of Indiana families are still feeling left out on waiting lists, hoping overwhelmed districts can find a way to squeeze a few more in.
Washington Township Superintendent Dr. Nikki Woodson tells Eyewitness News despite increased state funding, the district is still covering about $327 per child for full-day kindergarten.
The district plans to watch enrollment numbers closely next week and barring any unexpected increases in grades 1-5, the district could possibly make some adjustments by adding another full-day kindergarten class. But the district can't create another classroom by turning away older students.
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