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Cinnaminson board says preschool expansion grant will fund two full‑day classrooms starting May 1; parents seek logistics details
Summary
Superintendent told the board the district will convert two part‑day preschool classrooms to full‑day using state preschool expansion aid beginning May 1; parents at the meeting asked for details on transportation, schedules and supports for integrated students.
The Cinnaminson Township School District Board of Education on April 16 confirmed the district will use state preschool expansion aid to convert two part‑day preschool classrooms into full‑day classrooms beginning May 1.
Superintendent Coppello told the board the district recently received preschool expansion grant funds from the State of New Jersey and plans to open two full‑day classrooms next month as the first step of a multi‑year expansion. He said the district faces square‑footage constraints and is exploring creative options with the board to add space so full‑day three‑ and four‑year‑old pre‑K can be offered to all eligible families.
Why this matters: Full‑day pre‑K can increase instructional time and wraparound services for young children, but the sudden timing of the grant rollout has prompted parental requests for operational details.
During the public comment period, parent Kristen Rooney said her son is part of an integrated preschool group and that families had received minimal information about how the May 1 shift to full‑day would affect bus schedules, lunch arrangements and the daily schedule. “We’re two weeks away, and it’s been hard to prepare my child given he is part of the integrated group,” Rooney said, adding that she appreciated the grant but needs logistical details to prepare her child.
Coppello responded that district staff are still finalizing transportation and schedules and that the administration expects to have those details by the end of the week; he invited parents to speak with him after the meeting for follow‑up.
The board has also accepted donations and operational support tied to early childhood programs. The business and finance report noted acceptance of grants and donor contributions to support district programs, and the administration included the preschool education grant in the funding statements presented to trustees.
Next steps: The district will finalize schedules and transportation plans before May 1 and the board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2024–25 budget on April 25 at 5 p.m., where funding implications for next year’s programs may be discussed further.
