ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday that $15 million has been awarded to 32 high-need school districts to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for more than 2,000 3- and 4-year-old children across New York.
The Copenhagen and Sackets Harbor school districts made the list for funding which will support the expansion of pre-K to high-need or underserved districts as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to promote early education and improve the academic future for all students.
“New York is committed to ensuring every child gets a fair shot at a high-quality education,” Gov. Cuomo said in a news release. “This funding will help level the academic playing field for children in underserved communities and put students on a path toward opportunity and success.”
“Having access to an affordable, quality education is important, especially at an early age,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This funding for pre-K programs across the state will provide access to high-need school districts and ensure that every child is given an equal opportunity. We’re committed to providing all children and families with an early childhood education to position them for future success.”
Funding was awarded to school districts based on the quality of the application and other factors, including district and student need, efforts to target the highest need students, and maximize the total number of children served in pre-kindergarten programs. This additional $15 million will ensure New York continues to support its youngest students by supporting the expansion of pre-kindergarten into high-need districts, including those where there are currently no pre-kindergarten seats.
Since 2011, Gov. Cuomo has more than doubled the state’s commitment to early-childhood education. In 2013, Gov. Cuomo created the state’s first full-day pre-kindergarten seats, and in 2015, New York expanded pre-kindergarten to serve 3-year-olds for the first time. New York’s commitment to pre-kindergarten is now more than $800 million annually, serving 120,000 3- and 4-year-old students each year with universal pre-kindergarten offered at no cost to families.
Copenhagen Central will receive $167,702 toward the enhancement of its current pre-K program, operated through the district.
“We have a half-day 4-year-old program and will switch to a full-day program,” said district Superintendent Scott Connell.
The Sackets pre-K program will be new to the district this winter and is set to receive $113,616 in funding.
“It is going to take a village,” said district Superintendent Jennifer L. Gaffney. “We need 18 students each year to make this happen.”
The Sackets program will be staffed by the Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County, but housed at the school. A public meeting about the program is slated for 2:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10 in the multipurpose room of the Sackets Harbor Central School, 215 S. Broad St.
Other school districts to receive funding are Brocton, Candor, Cohoes City, DeRuyter, Dryden, Duanesburg, Dunkirk, Forestville, Gananda, Geneseo, Kingston City, Liberty, Monticello, Mount Vernon City, Niagara Falls City, Niagara-Wheatfield, NYC Public Schools, Rochester City, Romulus, Rondout Valley, Roosevelt, Saugerties, Schenectady City, Sodus, Spencer-Van Etten, Syracuse City, Troy City, Watervliet City, Westport and York.