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WANAQUE - Time and cash short for Pre-K requirement
(by Teresa Edmond - Staff Writer - October 08, 2008)
WANAQUE - Like districts across the state, the local school system faces the “good” yet “challenging” task of whipping up a state-ordered preschool program for underprivileged children, said Superintendent of schools Dr. Richard Weisenfeld.
Possible obstacles include budget constraints, start-up time and suitable bathroom facilities to accommodate tiny 3- and 4-year-olds.
As part of his superintendent’s report, Weisenfeld addressed the building of the district’s preschool program from the ground up at the Sept. 24 Board of Education meeting.
The state-mandated preschool programs narrow in on 3- and 4-year-olds qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches because this factor helps the state gauge which children come from low-income families. Such preschool programs would help these children get an equal footing in early education.
“I think the state wisely mandated this, but I’m not so sure I agree with how they’re mandating it,” Weisenfeld said. “There’s pretty good research (showing) preschool education helps children in life, including those in poverty.”
The state laid down requirements for the full-day preschool programs. Lasting six hours daily, each preschool class will have a maximum of 15 children. A teacher certified in preschool must run each class, supported by a classroom assistant with at least a high school education and a program supervisor with preschool experience.
One of the concerns in bringing a preschool program to the district is modifying bathroom facilities appropriate for younger students just as the district is ending its yearlong upgrades to the Haskell and Wanaque schools.
“We just did $18 million worth of renovations, and now we have to refit some of our facilities,” said Dan Sinclair, Board of Education president. “They’re thinking of the whole big picture, and sometimes they don’t think of that.”
Weisenfeld clarified that he’s “not unhappy” with the new state directive, but called attention to the “very short window” being provided for cooking up the district’s preschool program. The state wants to see each district’s outline for flourishing preschool programs by Dec. 15.
Although the preschool program is expected to launch next September, Weisenfeld said the state would give districts five years to expand it if needed. Saying the district would “try to do this as well as (it) can,” Weisenfeld pointed out he doesn’t want to reject families that would benefit from it.
Weisenfeld said that his “biggest fear in the long run” is how long the state’s money to start up the borough’s preschool program would last. The state earmarked around $550 million for the statewide program’s first year, with an estimated cost of $11,800 per child, according to Weisenfeld.
“Is it going to become a local burden after (about) four years because you’re talking about 36 students at $12,000 each?” he said. “That’s a sizable chunk of change. In these cutbacks of economic times, it’ll be a challenge to do that as well.”
State officials are also suggesting districts look to private vendors, like daycare centers, as part of their preschool programs. However, district officials will have to manage the curricula and pay the center’s teachers the same salary range as a district employee.
Weisenfeld said that if that’s the case, the district might as well establish its own program from the ground up. He also said that the district is considering sharing preschool teachers with another district.
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