FARMINGTON – A pre-kindergarten program proposed for Mallett School children created much discussion among SAD 9 directors Tuesday.

Assistant Superintendent Susan Pratt said the pilot program for 4-year-olds will be in the form of half-day sessions for 32 students four days per week. It would have a limit of 32 students from Farmington, Temple, New Vineyard and part of Chesterville, with a lottery held to choose students if more than 32 register.

“We hope to expand this to the other communities within the district,” Pratt said. “We’d like to run it as a contracted service with UMF.”

There would be four to five students per teacher and the program would operate with assistance from students in UMF’s early childhood degree program. The program cost to SAD 9 would be $15,455, with the rest of its costs already included in other budget categories.

Pratt said that some federal stimulus money has been earmarked for pre-kindergarten programs.

However, some of the board members had their doubts.

“I do not like the way it’s presented,” Neil Stinneford said. “I do not like the way it’s going to be implemented.”

He said the program’s budget would cost the school system money that it might not otherwise spend.

“This is taxpayer money,” he said, noting the program wouldn’t be serving all SAD 9 towns. “We are responsible for all nine towns in the district.”

“I support the idea of pre-k, but I’m very concerned about the funding,” Helen Wilkey said. “You can’t rely on the state.”

Superintendent Michael Cormier said that he was understanding of the board’s concerns, while expressing support for the program.

“There are no guarantees, and it’s very hard when you put them (programs) in and the funding dries up,” he said. “It is an incredible opportunity, I feel. In these tough times, I wouldn’t come to you with something if I didn’t feel it was safe.”

Mallett School Principal Tracy Williams also voiced support.

“We’ve got a good chunk of kids who come to school and need a lot of support,” she said. “No one has to do this, but there is a need for a lot of kids that are sitting home watching TV or not being parented very well.”

The board also heard a presentation from Cascade Brook School Principal Nichole Goodspeed regarding the goals, successes and challenges at the school this year. Ten students recommended by classroom teachers are serving as peer helpers to help students resolve conflicts.

“Most of these conflicts revolve around friendship issues, or bullying, or not sharing,” Goodspeed said.

The staff analyzed the school’s Maine Educational Assessment results from last year, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses among students who took the test. According to Goodspeed, more work is needed in responses to questions and non-fiction areas of reading.