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Community groups urge 15% UPK reimbursement increase, question district contracting
Summary
A public commenter asked the board for a 15% increase to UPK reimbursement rates for community‑based organizations and alleged the district funded two UPK classrooms ($1.2 million) while community partners received no increase; the commenter also questioned certification status of a contracted CBO and its slot allocation.
A community member used the public‑comment period to press the board on Universal Pre‑K (UPK) administration and funding. The speaker asked the district to increase UPK reimbursement rates for community‑based organizations by 15% so partner programs can meet district expectations and state mandates without compromising quality or financial stability.
The commenter alleged the district approved $1,200,000 "of taxpayer money to fund your own 2 UPK classrooms" while providing no additional funds to community partners, calling that decision "a huge slap in the face to your community partners." They said the 15% increase they requested would cost "about less than $540,000 for all of the UPK partners for 1 year." The speaker also raised concerns that a contracted UPK community‑based organization was not OCFS‑certified and suggested that non‑certified providers and multi‑district slot allocations were leaving Watertown children on wait lists.
The chair reminded the speaker of the three‑minute public‑comment limit and offered to accept additional written comments or separate meeting follow up. Board members later suggested exploring advocacy at the state level for UPK funding changes and cited possible local conversations to address procurement and partnership concerns.
No board action on UPK funding or RFP processes was recorded at the meeting; public comment was taken under the district’s public‑comment rules.
