TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

For more than a year, local school districts have been planning to implement a new "preppy kindergarten" -- another year of public schooling for 4-year-olds born between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2.

But just as they were putting the finishing touches on their transitional kindergarten programs, the governor proposed a budget that would cut funding for them.

Now schools have to decide whether to move forward, ax the program or wait for the clouds to clear.

"We're ready to go if it's funded," said Desiree Von Flue, administrator in the division of instructional services for Kern County Superintendent of Schools. "But we need to just wait it out and see."

Meanwhile, parents are calling schools asking what to do with their 4-year-olds. For the most part, they and educators believe a little extra instruction offers a great academic and maturity boost.

"The students have gained leaps and bounds in getting ready to enter kindergarten classes next year," said John Mendiburu, superintendent of the Rosedale Union School District, which is piloting transitional kindergarten.

PLANNING FOR THE UNKNOWN

The state's proposed budget put at risk months of planning districts did to start T-K, as educators call it. The plan was to phase in the program by one month earlier each year for three years.

An estimated 40,000 California children were expected to be eligible this fall, and about 120,000 when the law took full effect in fall 2014. Participation would be voluntary.

The kids were to be taught by a state-credentialed teacher, but funding did not account for support staff or transportation, officials say.

Cutting the program would reportedly save California $224 million next school year, and $672 million in 2014-15.

Program advocates argue the cut would deny thousands of kids needed education, especially those in families who can't afford childcare or preschool.

"To deny children this educational opportunity is bad for kids, families, schools and the communities of which they are a part," Jeff Freitas, secretary treasurer of the California Federation of Teachers, said in a statement Friday.

Others say T-K is an unnecessary luxury the state can't afford.

Locally, plans vary by district. Some intend to start by educating the young students for which the state will provide funding; some plan to limit the number of classes available; and some have already started testing the program.

At the Bakersfield City School District, officials had planned since last school year to transport and educate about 900 transitional kindergartners born after Sept. 1 next school year -- one class at each campus.

Starting the program only for students born after Nov. 1 would result in fewer children enrolled, limited classes available, possible combo classes and having to bus students to different campuses, said Nancy Olcott, BCSD director of curriculum and standards.

At Fruitvale and Greenfield Union school districts, officials have chosen teachers, assessment guides and curriculum. The proposed budget caused them to pause.

"We kind of backed off a little," said Mary Westendorf, Fruitvale's assistant superintendent. "But we would be ready to go if it's funded."

Perhaps the toughest call has to be made by the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, one of the hardest hit by budget cuts in Kern.

If funding comes through, the district would likely offer the program at each elementary school. If not, officials would have to decide whether to offer it at all. The state would provide funding only for students eligible for kindergarten.

The school board would make the final call; a workshop will be held next month.

"It's a complex puzzle right now," said Pam Bianchi, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instructional services. "We're taking a little bit of a breather until we find out."

CLASS AND CARPET TIME

At least three school districts in Kern County piloted a T-K program this school year, with children born before Nov. 1, including Rosedale Union.

This year, Almondale Elementary School, where the program is centered, has hosted visiting school district officials wondering how the program looks live.

The class, which has a waiting list, has 24 students -- eight born in November, six in September and two in October. All but six are boys.

It's organized like a kindergarten class, but educators focus more on developmental skills -- language development, gross motor skills, socialization and attention-span building -- and less so on academics, though counting, some science and writing are covered.

T-K, more than one local educator said, provides "the gift of time."

"We don't all start at the same place," said Sue Lemon, a Rosedale assistant superintendent. "By providing this for students who need that extra time, it helps get them to that starting line so they're closer to their peers."

On Friday, students started the morning active -- giving puppet shows, building structures with blocks and writing. Next they reviewed the calender and counted the school days -- it was the 99th.

"One more day to 100," Noah White, a November boy, told teacher Teresa Echeverria, who has taught kindergarten for 22 years.

Echeverria told the students to have "carpet behavior" by sitting with their legs crossed and eyes forward.

Noah's mother, Tamara White, said the program has given her young son a head start. She volunteers in class and has seen students learn letters, numbers, how to hold a pencil appropriately and to write.

Parent Jolene Hansen said T-K has given her son Nathan a "confidence boost."

Whether or not funding comes through, the Rosedale program will continue for at least some students, officials said.

Arvin Union School District, too, has 24 students in a two-year T-K program at one campus, and officials would like to keep it going with funding.

"Students are getting very well prepared," said Kathie Kouklis, assistant superintendent. "It's been fun to watch the kids grow."

SHARING WITH PARENTS

Kindergarten registration begins at many local school districts in March, so parents of late-birthday children soon need to decide between kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, preschool or child care.

Panama school district officials have been fielding plenty of parent calls wanting information on T-K, Bianchi said.

"We just have to tell parents it's in development," Bianchi said. "Communication for parents is really important. I think it's unfortunate this proposal has come when it's come."

BCSD for now is moving ahead with T-K. It'll soon update campus clerks and secretaries on the latest since they're the "front line" for giving parents information about T-K and kindergarten, Olcott said.

If funding does not come through, BCSD will put T-K on hold until it does, officials said. Most school officials are crossing their fingers that the money will appear.