Florida school district wins pre-K expansion grant

On Tuesday, May 14, the New York State Education Department awarded $34 million in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Expansion Grants to 64 school districts across the state, Commissioner Betty Rosa announced. The grants will enable districts to establish new full-day prekindergarten placements or to convert existing placements from half- to full-day.

Among the local recipients was the Florida Union-Free School District, which won a grant for $210,000.

Florida school Superintendent Lisamarie Spindler said, “This grant allows us to expand our universal pre-K program and serve all the preschool-aged students that families have requested participate in the program. It is exciting to offer this opportunity to more families. Universal pre-K not only helps children develop the necessary skills to succeed in kindergarten, but also provides a way for families to save on child care costs.”

Regents Chancellor Lester Young Jr. said, “When children enroll in high-quality and effective pre-K programs, they gain a significant advantage in early skills that prepare them for success in elementary school. Expanding access to full-day pre-K programs through these grants will help more of New York’s children succeed.”

Commissioner Rosa said, “When we provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, they reap the benefits throughout their lives. The Department is deeply committed to providing a strong educational foundation to every single child in New York – because that is what each of them deserves.”

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. Awarded school districts will be able to operate a 180-day program during the 2024-2025 school year.