Compton Extends Kindergarten Hours

Using its newly restored powers for the first time, Compton’s elected school board has voted to expand kindergarten instruction from a half-day to a full, six-hour session.

The Compton Unified School District was taken over by the state in 1993 because of financial and academic mismanagement.

But earlier this month, citing modest improvements, state Supt. Delaine Eastin restored authority over facilities management and community relations to the seven-member board.

At its first meeting with restored powers this month, the board voted 5 to 1, with one abstention, to buy 53 portable bungalows needed to enact the expanded program.