Proposed Lester Prairie kindergarten change draws concerns

LESTER PRAIRIE, MN – The Lester Prairie School Board discussed possible changes to the district’s kindergarten program Tuesday evening, drawing concerns from audience members. The kindergarten discussion was among a list of possible changes presented by High School Principal/Superintendent Mike McNulty as ways the district might cope with the state’s 27 percent revenue shift. Currently, Lester Prairie kindergarten is a half-day, every day program. The proposed change involves going to an all-day, every-other-day schedule, which McNulty said would save $13,000 in transportation costs alone by eliminating mid-day busing. Audience members expressed a variety of concerns, from daycare issues to the possibility that the change would result in some students leaving the district. The board scheduled a special meeting to discuss the matter at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30 in the school media center. The public is welcome to attend to ask questions or express concern.