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Shenendehowa board approves NISPA resolution seeking flexibility for UPK spending
Summary
The board voted to approve a NISPA resolution asking for flexibility in how universal prekindergarten (UPK) aid can be spent, saying current per-seat allocation rules limit the district’s ability to use available funds and place seats with community providers.
The Shenendehowa Central School District Board of Education approved a resolution in support of a NISPA policy request that would allow districts more flexibility in how universal prekindergarten (UPK) aid is spent.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Cecily Wilson Turner told the board the district receives just over $2.3 million in UPK aid but is constrained by a state per-pupil allocation rule. She said Shenendehowa’s per-pupil allocation is currently $432 of a roughly $2.3 million total award and that the statutory per-seat rate (cited in discussion as about $5,400 per pupil for partnering providers) makes it hard to find community-based providers who can operate within that funding amount. As a result, the district reported it served 184 of the 432 UPK seats available this year.
The resolution asks for the same kind of flexibility already afforded to full-day UPK programs so districts could use some of the funds for professional learning, supplies, or supports that would increase partnering capacity and the number of seats served. Board members discussed prior attempts to advance similar resolutions and noted collaborative work with other districts is ongoing.
The motion to adopt the NISPA/UPK resolution passed by voice vote with six members in favor.
