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Superintendent: UPK lottery filled most seats; district weighing expansion if state funding arrives
Summary
Superintendent Megan Ojenio told the Cornwall Central School District board the March 11 UPK lottery drew 135 applicants for 118 seats; the district is planning for 2026–27 and weighing options (transportation, sibling placement, in-house UPK) if state funding fully materializes.
Superintendent Megan Ojenio outlined the district’s universal prekindergarten (UPK) planning and lottery results during the March 23 board meeting, saying the district is preparing for multiple funding scenarios for 2026–27.
“The CCSD and board of ed have supported UPK accessibility a priority,” Ojenio said. She reported that 135 students entered the lottery for 118 seats and that “87% of our students received their first or second choice.” She added that 17 students were initially placed on the wait list and that the list remains fluid as families accept, decline or re-enter placements.
Ojenio described the district’s current approach: Cornwall partners with five community-based UPK providers and funds the difference between state UPK aid and the district’s per-seat cost. She warned that transportation for UPK is “not aidable under New York State,” and so any district-provided transportation would be a local budget responsibility.
Board members and Ojenio discussed practical planning choices if the state fully funds UPK: the district could allow one household entry into the lottery to keep siblings together, permit private-provider guarantees for second siblings, or explore partnerships with neighboring Washingtonville Central School District if providers are available on the western side of Cornwall. Ojenio said the RFP process for community providers is complete for 2026–27 and that bringing UPK fully in-house would require substantial classroom, bathroom and staffing changes.
Why it matters: The district’s choices affect family access to full-day UPK, parental ability to work, and how the school budget absorbs or redeploys state UPK funds if the state changes its per-seat reimbursement. Ojenio urged families to continue advocacy at the state level and encouraged questions to the district office.
What’s next: The district will incorporate lottery and provider information into its budget scenarios and return to the board with updates as state funding details arrive.
