North Rockland Awarded $2.4 Million To Expand Pre-Kindergarten Program

GARNERVILLE, NY — The North Rockland Central School District this week was awarded $2.45 million in state funding to expand access to free Universal Prekindergarten programs for local families.

The funding — among the largest of 64 New York State Education Department competitive grants awarded — will enable the district to add more spots in Pre-K or convert existing placements from half- to full-day, North Rockland officials said.

"We know that many children in our school community need additional support before starting kindergarten and we’re confident that this additional funding will help meet some of those needs," said Superintendent Kris Felicello, Ed. D. "This investment by NYSED will move North Rockland forward in the critical work of improving outcomes for our children and families."

In New York State, UPK is a state and federally funded prekindergarten program offered to families free of charge. The only eligibility requirement for UPK in New York is a child's residency and age. In districts where UPK is available, entry is based on a lottery system and not all families who register are guaranteed a spot.

The $2,454,359 will allow North Rockland to convert 200 half-day UPK seats into full-day seats and add 150 full-day Universal Prekindergarten placements.

Last year, district officials converted 60 half-day seats to full-day seats and added 10 full-day placements with $440,528 the district received from NYSED.

In the 2024-25 academic year, the district will be able to offer 480 full-day placements and 23 half-day placements.

All public-school districts in New York State were eligible to apply for this competitive grant opportunity. Grants were awarded based upon a district’s plan to serve a community’s highest need schools and students; the level of existing prekindergarten services; the extent to which a district planned to maximize the total number of eligible four-year-old children served in its programs; and other factors. School districts with the funding will be able to operate a 180-day program during the 2024-25 school year.

For more information on UPK in North Rockland, visit northrockland.org or call (845) 942-3493.