MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Metropolitan School District's Board of Education agreed to a proposal to implement a kindergarten program for 4-year-olds during Monday night's meeting.

The plan will begin in September 2011. Initially, the board considered a measure to start in 2010, but a vote on that plan was deadlocked 3-3. A second motion to postpone the beginning until the 2011-2012 school year passed by a 5-1 vote.

The board didn't outline any of the financing as yet. District spokesman Ken Syke said that they're working on 2010 budget first before planning for the 2011 one.

The board's decision could have a large impact on the district and taxpayers as the new program would bring in federal funds.

However, prior to Monday night's vote, some had questioned whether or not the district is ready to start up a program for up to 1,600 new students in just 8 months.

In Monona Grove, teacher Jessica Wolff's 4-K classroom buzzes with activity. Although the class is busy with 4- and 5-year-olds, district officials said they feel the classes are necessary to jumpstart the learning process.

In fact, 75 percent of school districts in Wisconsin have similar programs, WISC-TV reported.

"This is an area that has been under study in this community for a long time," said superintendent Dan Nerad, who has been pushing 4-K classes since his arrival in Madison in 2008. "It's viewed as an opportunity to invest earlier in children, to ensure better outcomes."

One of the main concerns about the plan facing the board was cost.

"The costs are around $12 million a year," said Nerad. "We've identified revenue efficient about $8 million a year."

For average homeowners, that $4 million gap will mean a boost of roughly $40 on their property tax bill within the first year, but part of that gap could also be filled by a federal "Race to the Top" grant if the state snags it and if Madison is eligible.

"There (are) a lot of ifs, but it perhaps is an opportunity as well," Nerad said.

Implementing a 4-K program like Monona Grove's is one of the criteria to help secure funding, but time is ticking. Madison must sign a memorandum of intent to the state saying they will work on implementing the programs necessary to be eligible for the funding. The board will vote on whether or not to sign that document on Monday night as well.

Wisconsin has applied for $250 million in funding from the federal government, but it is not guaranteed. The state, however, said it is confident it has a strong application due to the focus on early education.