[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6243619,"mediaKeyId","3237994-7544533c4bc575958fe828d0ba4df648","parentId",3237994,"title","Community providers warn Watertown’s plan to run two 4410 preschool classrooms could shrink local UPK slots","audioSeconds",2131,"startMs",2479164,"endMs",4611035,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237994-7544533c4bc575958fe828d0ba4df648&start=2479&end=4611","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237994-7544533c4bc575958fe828d0ba4df648/thumbnail_2479164.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243619/New-York/Community-providers-warn-Watertowns-plan-to-run-two-4410-preschool-classrooms-could-shrink-local-UPK-slots","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243619-58ff07e04069f47c247d33944486d7b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773744129&Signature=A7ZVqls5oIHsK0IepJhrvKk-mAtyDTp2N6zPloQAxphICx01esUBPZvzJuHX~YQbF3s-m1cvtzdpFRpdI1GCHd0IhrEgdR6xYm9mQJ1IkD4iyC60LRi1CKZyGtOpNwtNy8zlWkJ4e0QgA~lAFq~2aEqo4ITqONcIp7034ri4qwiMEALZPW~OW6xJzjKto5NZdtDjUvTCH30FSLCRCYhW~Q2DgNJOA09jcKRIE~DF9w-gcpEP7I92vo0g5kD4t60WgVcb7s2umbbynrXIVSf75ZZX~4ZYE2BVRiD4aJy-OGIbUqbQKRUlGFRpFzzOJNytXi45Z29N2NT5bypVkrafkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T12:20:42Z","article","Community providers and early‑childhood operators criticized the district’s budget plan to add two district‑run 4410 (preschool special‑education) classrooms, saying the proposal was shared with the board but not coordinated with long‑standing community partners. Lynn Petrovski, CEO of ARC Jefferson of St. Lawrence, told the board, “I would invite anyone from the the board to come visit our program at 420 Gaffney Drive and witness firsthand the diversity and the endless opportunities that we offer to our students.”

Why it matters: Watertown has historically contracted its UPK (Universal Pre‑K) slots to community based organizations (CBOs). Providers say district reimbursement for UPK slots has not risen in a decade, while required program standards and staff costs have increased, creating an unsustainable financial model for CBOs that risks closures or loss of UPK capacity in the city.

What providers said: Representatives from the ARC Jefferson and Treehouse Child Care Center told the board they were surprised and dismayed to learn the district was proposing two district‑run 4410 classrooms. “Childcare in our community and pre k as we've known it for the last few decades is in danger,” Manny Burt, owner and CEO of Treehouse Child Care Center, said in public comment. Providers asked the board to increase CBO reimbursement by a proposed 15% this year and to commit to annual increases thereafter; they said the district’s current rates are “60 to 90% lower than the fair market rate.”

District response and process: District officials said they are conducting an RFP process and that state allocations and guidance influence how UPK is funded and structured. Administrators noted the district plans to add related‑service staff (OT, PT, speech, school psychologist) who would serve the new classrooms and also help reduce related‑service wait lists for other district students. The administration also emphasized the board’s legal authority to operate district‑run UPK and described the additions as a response to increased local need.

Board reaction and next steps: Several board members said community partners should have been more involved; one board member said she “felt tricked” when the proposal appeared at a prior meeting. Board members asked administrators to clarify whether the district‑run rooms would displace CBO slots, how enrollment would be prioritized, and whether the district could fund partner increases. Administrators said some details remain in the application and RFP stages and that final implementation would depend on the May 20 budget vote and state approvals.

Ending: Providers urged collaboration rather than competition. ARC Jefferson’s Petrovski asked the district to “optimize community resources that we already share,” while district leaders said they would continue the RFP process and pursue state approval and funding. The public vote on May 20 will determine whether the budget that funds the district‑run classrooms moves forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/06/2025 WCSD BOE Meeting - Public Hearing for Budget","oneSentenceSummary","Community‑based preschool providers told the Watertown board they were not consulted and that low district reimbursement rates plus program competition risk losing hundreds of community UPK slots; providers urged collaboration instead of district‑run expansion.","taxTitle","WATERTOWN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",49388,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6243624,"Watertown school leaders unveil $103 million 2025–26 budget, ask voters to OK 2.44% levy increase",2463,1840,2464915,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237994-7544533c4bc575958fe828d0ba4df648&start=1&end=2464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237994-7544533c4bc575958fe828d0ba4df648/thumbnail_1840.jpg","/articles/6243624/New-York/Watertown-school-leaders-unveil-103-million-202526-budget-ask-voters-to-OK-244-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243624-d8999200370f98b9d47ae7b3a6c5bf56/orig.mp4?Expires=1773744129&Signature=GiIaS3ttOctae7xGJH0NoQzBazIcg5fmg1ODGGOJjZVzdBxThefq67DLWO7-kTRLxI7oGB7r~D9Ych73J9KJV5mlf2kbKYB-8cnGgd2erNYUgD~6L73JHnAIxIiK30u8N8CPW3sTSM4V6Vl1Az8g7mZasMdb5loZrf6bgXZYw9O6lUJA9XMdvjP5fHXXE4td~QTrCpVlHBwkQ3uuqyQ9T60KVMtmyZc7-jQISa9Xd-WSs-WU4-ieIn1YMzQCSlJvEtDzzXKbBIPoieQahK7ganzQPY9OIrf0k49~cX~TbPrXJJRV2t7zaRLs58Zx~R2QvSqE5iQuFoJ~b0M9IPYkLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Watertown City School District administrators presented a $103 million 2025–26 spending plan and asked voters to approve a 2.44% tax levy increase at the district’s public meeting. The budget would grow the district’s operating plan from about $96 million to roughly $103 million and uses a mix of state aid, increased interest revenue and $3 million of fund balance to help balance the books.

District officials said the tax‑cap calculation set by New York State allows a 2.44% levy increase, which the administration described as legal maximum under the cap. “We are asking the voters to approve a 2.44% increase in taxes,” the district’s operations and finance representative said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The budget includes roughly $7 million in added revenue and spending compared with the current year and directs most new dollars to instruction and student supports rather than administration or capital. Administrators told the board the increases are driven largely by rising employee costs, BOCES services and utilities; they also plan several program expansions aimed at improving graduation rates, attendance and student engagement.

Key details: The package would increase instructional spending from about $75 million to $81.7 million. The administration expects about $2.7 million more in state aid (foundation and BOCES aid) but cautioned the exact foundation aid runs remain “unknown” while the state budget process is ongoing. The district plans to add staff and programs including additional teaching assistants, new special‑education staff and two new district‑run preschool special‑education classrooms, plus facility and vehicle replacements funded in part from reserves.

Fund balance, reserves and propositions: As of June 30, 2024, the district reported roughly $18.9 million in restricted reserves and just under $24 million in unassigned fund balance (about 25% of the budget). Administrators proposed using about $3 million of fund balance next year while also placing several propositions before voters: creation/extension of capital reserves (a proposed $15 million ceiling for future capital projects), a $1 million furniture reserve and an IT/security reserve that would fund items such as weapons‑detection units and a handheld radio upgrade. The district emphasized prior capital work (a $110 million project) had no tax impact and said the reserve approach aims to preserve that benefit.

Projected household impact and next steps: Officials estimated a homeowner with a $100,000 property in the city would see an approximate $27 annual increase if voters approve the levy. The budget presentation was informational; the budget is scheduled for a public vote on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Board and community reaction: Board members and community speakers generally praised instructional investments and expanded services. Some board members pressed for clearer timing on state aid runs and for more transparency on encumbrances and year‑end accounting; at least one board member said she felt surprised by late budget details and asked for additional internal communication before the vote.

What wasn’t decided: The board did not adopt the budget at the meeting; the document was presented for public information and discussion ahead of the voter referendum. Formal adoption is contingent on the May 20 public vote and on final state aid figures.

Ending: If approved by voters, the budget would increase instructional spending and add staff and services the district says are targeted at improving graduation rates and student engagement; the precise aid amounts and some implementation details will depend on final state aid runs and voter approval of the levy and propositions.","District administrators presented a $103 million budget for 2025–26 that relies on a 2.44% tax levy increase, use of fund balance and new program investments including special‑education expansions and two voter propositions for capital and security reserves.","actionData","errors"]

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Community providers warn Watertown’s plan to run two 4410 preschool classrooms could shrink local UPK slots

Watertown school leaders unveil $103 million 2025–26 budget, ask voters to OK 2.44% levy increase