State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs

State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) awarded $13.36 million in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Expansion Grants to 31 school districts across the state, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The grants enable school districts to increase prekindergarten availability for four-year-old students.

“Providing high-quality educational opportunities to our youngest learners is crucial for their future success,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “The UPK Expansion Grant will allow more children to benefit from early learning that will help them build the skills needed to thrive in school and life.”

“When we strengthen supports and provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, we see the benefits throughout their school years and beyond,” said Commissioner Rosa. “The Department is committed to expanding universal full-day prekindergarten programs that provide a strong educational foundation for our children, resulting in positive long-term outcomes.”

The Department awarded these competitive grants based on a district’s plan to serve a community’s highest need schools and students, the level of existing prekindergarten services, and the extent to which a district planned to maximize the total number of eligible four-year-old children served in its programs, among other factors. These funds may be used during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 school years.

Final approval of the grants is subject to the review and approval of the Office of the State Comptroller. Grants will be awarded to the following school districts:

UPK Expansion Grants
School District	Award Amount
Barker CSD	$150,000
Bay Shore UFSD	$280,000
Bedford CSD	$360,000
Brushton-Moira CSD	$150,000
Coxsackie-Athens CSD	$360,000
East Ramapo CSD	$400,000
Farmingdale UFSD	$360,000
Fonda-Fultonville CSD	$180,000
Frewsburg CSD	$180,000
Glen Cove City SD	$400,000
Greater Johnstown City SD	$180,000
Greece CSD	$360,000
Pine Valley CSD	$180,000
Port Chester-Rye UFSD	$1,400,000
Poughkeepsie City SD	$840,000
Pulaski Academy & CSD	$180,000
Riverhead CSD	$600,000
Rome City SD	$1,000,000
Roosevelt UFSD	$540,000
Rush Henrietta CSD	$1,000,000
Seneca Falls CSD	$360,000
Sodus CSD	$180,000
Southern Cayuga CSD	$180,000
Springs UFSD	$420,000
Thousand Islands CSD	$360,000
Valley Central UFSD	$400,000
Victor CSD	$400,000
Warsaw CSD	$540,000
Waterloo CSD	$360,000
Wayland-Cohocton CSD	$160,000
Yonkers City SD	$900,000