When Slippery Rock teachers reviewed test results, they learned that children who have attended all-day kindergarten are better prepared for first grade than those who only had half-day kindergarten.

Leslie Colosimo, literacy coach in the district, made a PowerPoint presentation to the Slippery Rock School Board at its April 14 meeting. She shared how teachers are using various assessment tools to evaluate the reading performance of their students. Debby Drennen, first grade teacher; Denise Skibinski, reading specialist; and Bethany Fair, reading specialist, were available to answer questions.

The teachers have developed opportunities for students to work every day in small groups. Through a progressively more intense use of small groups and evaluation of student performance through a number of different testing instruments, the team of reading specialists and classroom teachers have carved out time each day for students to receive attention and practice in very small groups.

Assistant superintendent Dr. Jean Allen, Colosimo, Drennen, Fair, reading specialist Sue Mahaffey, Skibinski and Moraine fifth grade teacher Deborah Tomosovich made a presentation at “The Pennsylvania Title I Improving School Performance Conference: Getting Results” in Pittsburgh in January.

First grade teachers are finding that they must adjust their reading program to meet the needs of these better prepared students, superintendent Dr. Kathy Nogay said. This is the district’s third year offering the full-day kindergarten program.

In other business, Paul Cessar, business manager for Slippery Rock Area School District, presented the first draft of the 2008-2009 budget. The school district is funded 49 percent from state funds and 51 percent from local funds. At the request of the state, about $700,000 of federal grant funds are funneled through the local fund category.

The county assessment office is updating real estate assessments on a monthly basis. Because there has been so much building within the school district, Cessar estimates an increase in real estate tax to the district will be $385,000.

According to Cessar, the current millage is 107.94 mills. Each mill generates $89,730. The net value of a mill has increased every year because of this increase in construction. The projected increase in millage is 3.76 mills.

Cessar based his revenue projections on the district’s historical trends.

The total anticipated expenditures for the 2008-2009 school year is $26,628,000. This number may change as the board continues to work on the budget for the next school year.

The two largest expenditures are for salaries and benefits at 60.7 percent of the total budget and 10 to 11 percent for debt service. The medical benefits have increased 9.1 percent, making a total increase of $182,000. Because many teachers and staff have changed to managed care, the increase was not as severe.

Tuition reimbursement costs have increased as more staff take additional courses. Through the last contract, teachers receive incentives to obtain their master’s degrees. Additional pay increases are earned after teachers complete 15 and 30 credits beyond a master’s degree.

Transportation contracts are anticipated to rise with the increase in fuel prices.

Cessar said that the maintenance department will be in need of a new vehicle during the next school year.