The Bismarck School Board wants input from Northridge Elementary School parents before it decides what grade to put at a nearby church.

Different options were talked about at the regular board meeting Monday, and the consensus is that they will need to move the kindergarteners or the sixth-graders to Corpus Christi.

The board wants to figure out how to fit all-day kindergarten in all the elementary schools next school year, and Northridge is the only school in which kindergarten cannot be accommodated through rennovation or portables.

The district already offers all-day kindergarten in six of its elementary schools. Next year, the state will offer more funding through per-pupil funding for kindergarteners, if school districts offer all-day kindergarten programs.

Although it's same option the board considered two weeks ago, board members considered and dismissed portable classrooms at Northridge or another school, half-day kindergarten at Northridge only and a kindergarten center. Some board members and district administrators attended a parent-teacher organization meeting, as well, where different options were discussed.

"Portables on-site is not an option," board member Marcia Olson said. "My kids went to Northridge way back when, and it was crowded. I like the idea of alleviating the crowding."

She said she preferred, as did many of the board members, to have classroom space leased from Corpus Christi, a nearby church. The district has spoken with the church about this, and it could lease four to five classrooms, the kitchen and gym. It would need four classrooms if it moved the sixth grade and five classrooms if it moved the kindergarten.

Originally, the sixth grade was proposed as the grade to move to the church. It was proposed because the students are older, and the sixth grade classes work together.

As the discussion Monday moved away from leasing space at the church, the board considered briefly if it should offer half-day kindergarten at Northridge and send students who want an all-day program elsewhere. It could meet the needs of the parents who feel their children aren't ready, board member Dan Kuntz said. The district could find parentswanting to switch out of the program, though, board member Parrell Grossman said.

One parent at the meeting disliked the idea of offering half-day kindergarten at Northridge.

"All-day kindergarten has to roll out to everybody," Northridge parent Toby Schatz said. He has a child in fourth grade and an upcoming kindergartener. If Northridge had a half-day program, while the rest of the district did not, the program could be viewed as inferior, he said.

He also said he is in favor of using the space in the church. Originally, he was in favor of moving the sixth grade, but after hearing the discussion Monday, he said he thinks it could work for kindergarten as well. He urged the district to talk to parents, for their input.

The board wants parent input and is concerned it is not hearing from first-time parents who have incoming kindergarteners. Kuntz encouraged parents to contact the district office or a board member with their contact information.

Also, Northridge is one of three schools to have early registration for kindergarten. The others schools are Murphy and Centennial. Usually, kindergarten registration starts in January, but for these schools, registration starts Dec. 3. This will help the schools find out how many classrooms it needs next school year.

For a child to enroll in kindergarten, they must be 5 years old by Aug. 31.

The board will look at the costs of starting all-day kindergarten at its next meeting at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 10 in the City and County Building. The board also will meet with the Northridge PTO at a later date that has not yet been set.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)