Niles Community Schools is considering eliminating its half-day kindergarten option beginning next school year in order to give all students the full-day learning experience.

Supt. Michael Lindley will make that recommendation to the board of education at its next meeting Feb. 16.

“With all the demands we have today, half day options are just sort of going out the window,” Lindley said. “We think it’s academically prudent to do it… We want those kids to be able to have that full-day experience.”

There are 18 kids currently enrolled in the district’s half-day kindergarten program, which is housed at Northside Child Development Center. The district has around 220 kids in full-day kindergarten spread out in all elementary school buildings.

The move could result in extra revenue for the district because the state only gives 50 percent per-pupil funding for students in half-day kindergarten. So, if 18 students went from half day to full day, the district would receive an extra $65,000 in state funding.

However, Lindley said the move is not financially motivated.

“We aren’t doing it because of financial incentive, we are doing it because it is the best thing for kids,” he said.

Lindley said kindergarten schedules could be adjusted for kids that are not developmentally ready for the full-day experience.

“Even if the board chooses to make that change we will continue to work closely with parents on an individual basis if they do need a half day program,” he said.

The school board is expected to make a decision on the issue at the Feb. 16 meeting at Northside Child Development Center. It starts at 6 p.m.

Kindergarten registration is scheduled to begin Feb. 18.