Parents and board express disappointment after Pre-K3 cut in revised Shelter Island school budget

Parents and community members urged the board to restore a cut Pre-K3 program during public questions at the June 2 Shelter Island Union Free School District Board of Education meeting. Laurene Silvani, a parent of a Pre-K4 student, said she was "disappointed" and called the loss of Pre-K3 "a disservice to the community." Charlotte Moore and Elizabeth Hanley spoke in support of early childhood programming and described the challenges families face when younger childcare options are limited.

Superintendent Dr. Brian Doelger said the administration and board were "equally as devastated" and called the discontinuation "a great loss," noting that the original budget had supported Pre-K3. President Kathleen M. Lynch, who said she previously advocated from the audience for Pre-K programs and ran for the board to help secure them, said she found it "crushing" to lose Pre-K3. Board and administration agreed they would consult legal counsel to determine whether donated funds or booster-club fundraising could be accepted to cover the program.

During the same exchange, community member Victoria Shields asked whether administrator salaries could be cut; Dr. Doelger confirmed the revised budget remains below the tax cap and President Lynch described administrative staffing and prior cost-saving measures when the superintendent absorbed duties after a business official left. A community speaker identified as Ms. Weslek added that she and her daughter were sad that the program cut will result in the departure of staff member Leigh Stumme.