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