IT Panel: Board Should Reject Universal Pre-K

After a thorough discussion of the issues, the Island Trees Universal Prekindergarten Policy Board voted unanimously recently to recommend to the board of education not to implement the New York State Universal Prekindergarten Program at this time.

Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 established the New York State Universal Prekindergarten Program. The legislation required that each school district in the state form a Prekindergarten Policy Advisory Board. The Island Trees School District established a 16 member Universal Prekindergarten Policy Board which included the Superintendent of Schools, two Board of Education members, the United Teachers of Island Trees president and vice president, 10 parents and PTA members, a preschool aide, and the director of SCOPE's student services and Child Care Programs.

Each member of the committee had received a six-page copy of the New York State Education Department's proposed regulations for the implementation of the Universal Prekindergarten Program and a copy of a 10-page paper from Dr. James A. Kadamus, Deputy State Education Department commissioner, on the subject of the Universal Prekindergarten Program.

The 16 members of the Universal Prekindergarten Policy Advisory Board held a public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. in the office of the superintendent. A lengthy discussion was held covering all aspects of the proposed regulations including the most appropriate and effective manner to provide prekindergarten programs using resources of the school district, the community, and outside agencies. The committee was also advised by the superintendent that based upon the district's operation aid ratio and free and reduced price lunch program the estimated state aid that the Island Trees School District would receive to help support this program for the school years 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-2001 would be O. In the year 2001-2002 it is estimated that the Pre-K aid per pupil, based on 200 students, would be $2,000.

The advisory committee also heard a report from Superintendent Richard Sergerdahl and secretary, Anita Fusco, about the success of the present Island Trees/SCOPE Preschool Program. The in-district preschool program presently has enrolled 200 youngsters who attend the program three days per week for 2 1/2 hours per day.