Meet Kate Freeman. She used to teach preschool in Florida. Now she sells chili by the side of the road to make ends meet.
Yesterday, a coalition of early childhood education providers, parents and advocacy groups released a report about the impact of budget cuts on preschool ed in our state. It also documented the success of these programs, much like we have.
So what can you do about it? Have you signed the petition yet asking lawmakers to put $250 million back into the basic operating aid, rather than into a competitive grant system? A system, for which we still are not sure of the criteria.
Districts are trying to figure out school budgets with a tax cap that limits their ability to raise revenue and a state budget that is just not enough. Amparo Sadler, a Long Island grandparent said pre-K programs are on the chopping block in Central Islip. Here’s a link to a Utica report that half-day kindergarten may be cut.
Let me know if your district is being forced to cut pre-K either through comments, email at bsandber@nysutmail.org or call (800) 342-9810 ext. 6283.
Preschool special education programs (4410′s) are under extreme budget pressure this year. The Governor wants any increases in program costs to come from local school districts (currently they are funded by combination of county and state funds). The Gov wants to pass the axe to the school districts who are already suffering under his 2% tax cap and make local district the villians when these cost-saving programs are cut. And he’s the only real lobbist for our student?