Brenda Hales and Larry Shumway, associate state schools superintendents, presented a report to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee Wednesday showing how the first $7.5 million of the $30 million, four-year program has been spent.

The report shows that 205 of the state's 504 public elementary schools now offer the program, which is meant to serve students most in need of additional instruction. But several lawmakers said they were concerned by findings that showed some smaller school districts serving only a few students at tremendous cost, including one district that is serving only four students at a cost of more than $30,000.

"This is very telling and disturbing," Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said. "The thing that concerns me is the best use of resources."

Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, wonders if in such situations the money would be better spent lowering kindergarten class sizes instead of extending the day.

Shumway, however, said small, rural school districts present challenges when it comes to offering programs in a cost-efficient way.

"We will try our best to make sure we get the best bang for our buck, but we do recognize there are some extraordinary situations," Shumway said.

Hales said her office so far has heard nothing but praise for the program.

"This is one program that has shown tremendous success in terms of helping kids who start a little bit behind in kindergarten," Hales said.