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Cornwall board agrees to add 20 UPK seats after parents and providers press for expansion
Summary
After more than a dozen public comments urging expanded universal prekindergarten (UPK) access, the Cornwall Central School District board directed administrators to include 20 additional UPK seats in the proposed 2025–26 budget and discussed provider pricing and fill uncertainty.
Residents and early-childhood providers urged the Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on April 7 to expand universal prekindergarten (UPK) slots; the board responded by directing administrators to include 20 additional UPK seats in the proposed 2025–26 budget.
The appeal came during the meeting’s public-comment period. "My name is Cynthia Fasillo. I am one of the advocates for the universal pre kindergarten group UPK for Cornwall, New York," said Cynthia Fasillo, who asked the board to prioritize children by increasing available seats. Multiple parents and providers testified that UPK supports school readiness and that early education reduces later intervention needs.
Why it matters: Board members said the extra seats would cost the district more in 2025–26 but argued the investment would expand access for families who lack affordable options. Business official John Fink had earlier put a 10-seat addition at about…
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