Nationally, 60 percent of kindergartners attend school all day, states the resolution, citing the U.S. Census Bureau.

Still, addressing the early performance problems for kindergarten-age children would cost a bundle.

The state now gives just over half the student funding to kindergartners that it does to older students, mainly because they're in school a half day.

Offering full-day kindergarten statewide would cost just under $42 million, according to estimates supplied by the State Office of Education, working with the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

Full-day kindergarten in schools where at least 20 percent of students are ethnic minorities would cost $30 million. In Title I schools only, it would cost $5.5 million.

Costs center on hiring new teachers. Estimates did not include building costs (a morning and afternoon class no longer could share the same classroom).

But non-financial costs worry two state board members.

"The move toward longer kindergarten, I think, encourages deterioration of parents involved in the education of the youngest of our children," board member Thomas Gregory said. While English language learners would benefit, "I am not in favor of expanding (the concept) to all of Utah students."

Board member Debra Roberts agrees.

"I'm supportive of all day for those kids who so desperately need it. But don't take our babies even (longer). I value those afternoons with my kindergartner, just the two of us," she said. "I don't think one of (my children) would have benefited from all-day kindergarten."

Utah's compulsory education law doesn't require children to attend school until age 6. But state education office attorney Carol Lear wonders if full-day kindergarten could result in less flexibility to delay school entry until then.

Associate State Superintendent Christine Kearl said districts with full-day offerings are flexible with parents. She urged the board to pass the resolution while the governor's support is there.

"I think we need to seize the moment," Kearl said.

But that moment will have to come next month.

The board voted to defer voting on the resolution until then.

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com