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Port Washington committee weighs Universal Pre‑K expansion as state budgets increase per‑pupil aid
Summary
Committee members reviewed state UPK expansion proposals and district capacity, noting a possible rise in state per‑pupil aid to $10,000, the district’s current per‑student state funding near $6,128, and concerns that physical space and CBO capacity could constrain implementation by 2028–29.
Chair (S1) opened the budget and facilities discussion by asking the committee to consider Universal Pre‑K (UPK) and how recent state budget proposals might affect Port Washington. Presenter (S2) summarized the legislative picture, saying both one‑house budgets embrace UPK expansion and that the governor’s plan would broaden access and raise state per‑pupil payments. “The governor’s proposal is seeking to expand that,” Presenter (S2) said, adding that some districts could see per‑pupil payments increase substantially.
Dr. Kingman (S3), the invited district presenter, reviewed the district’s recent UPK grant history and numbers. He said combined state UPK grants in recent years totaled about $1,109,323 and that the district’s current state per‑student payment is roughly $6,128. “So just a little under the 6,400 that was mentioned earlier,” Dr. Kingman said, and he added that a $10,000 per‑student payment from the state would allow the district to shift many program costs off the general fund, with transportation remaining a district expense.
Board members asked specific implementation questions. The committee was reminded that UPK rules require districts to direct at least 10% of funding to community‑based organizations (CBOs); Dr. Kingman said Port Washington currently directs roughly 24% toward CBO partners. Presenter (S2) explained that district payments to CBOs will be negotiated (typically through an RFP) and that local overhead—custodial, building maintenance, some staffing and transportation—may not flow wholly to partners.
Members pressed on capacity and equity questions. Chair (S1) and a committee member (S4) asked how many eligible 4‑year‑olds are currently unserved; staff and partners said the Port Resource Center (PRC) helps identify needy families but that exact counts of unserved households were not available at the meeting and would require outreach to surrounding preschools and registration partners. Dr. Kingman said the district historically has served about 181 combined daily and CBO UPK students and that the in‑district daily program has previously served about 72 students, but he cautioned that figures vary year to year.
On timing, staff and board members emphasized the 2028–29 school year as the implementation window often cited for cap elimination; Chair (S1) said that space and local partner capacity present the biggest constraints. “We need to be as proactive and prepared,” the Chair said, urging the district to gather data, reach out to CBOs and local providers, and return with clear cost and space proposals. Staff agreed to put UPK planning materials and updated data into the board packet and to coordinate outreach with Long Island districts to anticipate shared challenges.
What’s next: staff will gather detailed enrollment, capacity and cost projections for the board; determine CBO negotiation approaches and possible RFP language; and report back to the committee and full board with recommendations before any formal policy or budget changes.
