An extended-day kindergarten targeting the district’s most struggling beginning students is a success, Highline School Board members were told March 8.

District staffers identified low-achieving students at the district’s half-day morning kindergartens for the extra afternoon sessions.

Special education and English Language Learners were among those chosen.

Susanne Jerde, co-director of elementary schools, said 63 percent were identified as needing “intensive” help, while 37 percent needed “strategic help.”

At the end of the assessment period, 47 percent reached the district’s benchmark achievement level.

The extra sessions were conducted at Beverly Park, Bow Lake, Hilltop and White Center Heights elementaries.

Marsha Spreier, co-director of elementary schools, noted the extended program differs from the full-day kindergarten offered at Des Moines, Gregory Heights, North Hill and Marvista elementaries. In that program, parents pay tuition of $250 per month.

Tuition will increase to $260 next year, she said.

Facilities director Al Schmidt reported that an apprenticeship pilot program also worked well and recommended the board continue it.

Contractors were given a goal to use apprentices for 15 percent of the work done rebuilding Mount View Elementary.

Apprentices were not required on North Hill Elementary construction, Schmidt said. The North Hill project involved funds from an agreement between the district, state, Port of Seattle and Federal Aviation Administration to install jet noise insulation.

With more stringent reporting requirements, district officials decided not add on the apprentice program, he noted. However, North Hill contractors did use some apprentices.

Workmanship, costs and completion times were comparable on the two projects, Schmidt reported.

Assistant Superintendent Gerri Fain said hiring apprentices is a good way to support workers in the community and could lead to more jobs for district students.

Superintendent John Welch responded to complaints by Tyee parents about plans to move band to an after-school activity.

With the conversion of the Tyee campus into three small schools this year, band has been scheduled during last period. However, parents and students have been notified that band practice will be moved to after school.

“How and when to schedule band is the principals' decision and I won’t overrule it,” Welch declared.

But he added, “It is my intent to keep band as an option at all four high schools.”

Tyee band parents plan to speak to the school board at its next meeting on March 22 at North Hill Elementary School.

As expected, board members approved boundary changes to allow north Normandy Park students to attend Pacific Middle and Mt. Rainier High in September. Previously, the change was to become effective in September 2007.