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Shoreham‑Wading River holds UPK lottery for 72 seats; district warns program depends on state budget
Summary
Shoreham‑Wading River Central School District drew 72 lottery numbers to allocate UPK seats for 2026–27 and created an official waiting list; district staff warned that the program cannot proceed unless a $10,000‑per‑student UPK grant included in the draft New York State budget is adopted.
Shoreham‑Wading River Central School District held a public lottery to allocate 72 universal prekindergarten (UPK) seats for the 2026–27 school year and created an official waiting list for additional applicants. District staff repeatedly warned families that the program is contingent on a proposed state UPK grant included only in the draft New York State budget.
Lou, a district staff member who presented program details, told families the district is relying on a $10,000‑per‑student UPK grant that "has been advocated by the governor and included in the draft budget plan for 2026 and 2027." Lou said, "Should this funding not be included in the final New York State budget...the SWR UPK program will not be able to move forward." The district repeated the funding contingency again later in the event.
Claudia Smith, principal at Miller Avenue School, explained the lottery mechanics and eligibility rules before the drawing began. Smith said each lottery number represents a family rather than an individual child and that when a number belongs to a family with multiple eligible children, all eligible children in that family will be awarded seats. The district will honor program‑preference selections based on lottery position.
The hosts called numbers publicly until the 72 seats were filled; when a drawn number represented a family with twins, staff confirmed both children would receive seats and adjusted the total seats filled accordingly. Numbers drawn after the 72 seats were filled will make up the official waiting list; district staff said families on the wait list will be contacted if openings become available.
Luke Paranelloo, principal at Wading River School, and event hosts mixed brief community remarks during the drawing but kept the process transparent and sequential. At the conclusion of the event staff said families would be notified that week of their lottery status and provided the district office phone number for questions.
The lottery established placements and a waitlist, but the district emphasized that final program enrollment for 2026–27 depends on the state budget outcome. If the draft UPK grant is not adopted in the final New York State budget, district staff said the Shoreham‑Wading River UPK program cannot move forward.
