JEFFERSON TWP – Beginning in the fall, 5-year-olds living in the Knoch School District will attend a school day as long as the district’s seniors.

The school board voted 8-1 on Wednesday to approve full-day kindergarten for students starting in the 2023-24 school year.

The 118 kindergartners now attending Knoch Primary School go to class for a half-day, either in the morning or afternoon.

Superintendent David Foley said after the meeting that the district would see an approximate $500,000 savings from eliminating a midday bus run in the first year of the program, and $300,000 the second year.

About eight parents attended the meeting, and most were thrilled after the vote.

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