District seeking state grant for pre-K program

The Saugerties school district is seeking a $170,000 state Education Department grant that officials say will be put toward establishing full-day pre-kindergarten classes.

At a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, district Superintendent Seth Turner said the program could begin in January if the funding is approved.

“I think it’s an exciting step, because the earlier that we can intervene with meeting a child’s needs, it pays significant dividends,” he said.

Trustee Katie Emerson Hoss said the grant application is based on pre-kindergarten being considered a pilot program for the district.

“We really wanted to not just sort of suddenly provide tons of preschool slots for 4-year-olds and 3-year-olds, but to really use this opportunity to look at what’s effective and what the dis-

trict needs,” she said.

District Business Manager Lissa Jilek said about 50 students have been identified as eligible for the program. She said district administrators have been developing a pre-kindergarten curriculum with help from existing providers.

“The district reached out to a number of certified preschool providers in Ulster County ... and there were two providers that were extremely helpful in assisting the district through the (program development) process,” she said. “They have assisted in curriculum that is aligned with the New York state standards, (choosing) playground equipment, classroom furniture, professional development.”

Jilek said the $170,000 would cover the entire program through the end of the academic year.

“Obviously they’re not going to fund us for a full year,” she said. “They said you have to have at least 90 days of program.”

Turner said the pilot program is being considered for the Cahill and Mount Marion elementary schools.