North Rockland To Receive $440,528 From State For Pre-K

HAVERSTRAW, NY — The North Rockland school district has won $440,528 in state funding for its pre-K program.

$11.7 million in grants was awarded last week through a competitive process administered by the State Education Department as part of a $125 million state commitment in the 2023 budget to expand access to full-day pre-K for 4-year-olds.

"Providing opportunities for quality pre-K education sets up children, parents, and caretakers for success, and I'm proud to deliver this important investment for families across the state," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an announcement about the grants. "This funding will help children in their most important stages of development and growth. As a mother, I've seen how essential these resources are and my administration is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in New York."

Four local districts — North Rockland, aka Haverstraw-Stony Point; Ossining; Peekskill; and Wappingers — were among the 24 districts that won the grants:

• Buffalo City School District, $2,500,000
• Long Beach City School District, $1,495,000
• Wappingers Central School District, $1,495,000
• Peekskill City School District, $1,059,101
• Ossining Union Free School District, $720,000
• Newfane Central School District, $470,983
• Haverstraw-Stony Point Central School District, $440,528
• Bellmore Union Free School District, $350,000
• Pembroke Central School District, $307,615
• Williamson Central School District, $303,619
• Eden Central School District, $257,328
• Hannibal Central School District, $245,000
• Watervliet City School District, $233,806
• Weedsport Central School District, $219,898
• Cassadaga Valley Central School, $203,283
• Batavia City School District, $200,000
• Avon Central School District, $200,000
• Cohoes City School District, $180,000
• Duanesburg Central School District, $180,000
• Northville Central School District, $150,000
• Wyoming Central School District, $140,000
• Genesee Valley Central School District, $140,000
• Elba Central School District, $117,760
• Canajoharie Central School District, $83,967

"These additional funds will help to ensure we can maximize our reach by serving more of our youngest students," Superintendent Ray Sanchez told Patch. "We are thankful for the additional funding."

The FY 2023 Enacted Budget provided a record $31.5 billion in total school aid for school year 2023 and more than doubled the state's investment in child care with $7 billion in funding over four years. These commitments mark a historic investment in school funding and child care, state officials said.