What about Kindergarten?

Sachem’s Kindergarten community, a community that I love, is finding themselves smack in the middle of the early childhood education policy war. They are reaching out to one another, organizing, calling their representatives and lobbying to save Kindergarten. I am seeing the adorable children who have attended my program, at risk of being denied a Kindergarten experience because of broken policies in Albany. My name is Cindy Russell and I am the owner of Abigail Bottoms Preschool. I was born and raised in the Sachem Community. Graduated Sachem in 1979. My preschool has been providing high quality preschool to the Sachem community for over 30 years. Over the past several years, I have been very vocal in my opposition to “universal” pre-k (UPK). Yes, I lost a large portion of my preschool business because of this program but my concerns aren’t just about my livelihood,. I have adapted my program to the changing times. My concerns were and still are with the larger picture. What about the kids who are being left behind? How do we pay for it all? And now…… What about Kindergarten?! Early childhood education (ECE) is important and I understand the popularity and appeal of a “free” UPK program, who wouldn’t want that opportunity? I also know there are major problems with New York’s public education policy and finances. Listed are just a few examples. UPK isn’t universal and it certainly isn’t free. New York state spends approximately $385 million of taxpayer money for it. Governor Cuomo’s budget has approved another $75 million of additional taxpayer money for full day pre-k, mostly for New York City. (Sachem needs $1.6 million to maintain it’s full day Kindergarten program) UPK, because of the random lottery system, isn’t lessening the achievement gap, which is the goal of the program. Many districts on Long Island and state wide still only offer half day Kindergarten Kindergarten is the first to be cut when Districts have budgetary concerns. Districts can not use UPK money to restore Kindergarten programs. Kindergarten is not mandated. In addition to funding Kindergarten, districts are struggling to maintain existing K-12 programs. Standards are becoming too rigorous for young children, are not developmentally appropriate and are robbing kids of their childhood. Just like today’s Kindergarten parents, my husband and I reached out and organized with local preschools, met with our representatives and lobbied in Albany to try and make change. Since pre-k wasn’t available to all, we felt need had to be a priority. We argued that districts be allowed to use pre-k grant money to restore K-12 programs if there were budgetary shortfalls, We weren’t successful and sadly watched as several quality preschools in our community were forced to close their doors. This was difficult to watch especially at a time when districts all over New York were struggling to maintain existing K-12 programs. Our state can not afford to have it all. Kindergarten and K-12 education must be a priority. Current education policy is destroying both the public and private sector of early childhood education and is pulling our community apart. It’s time for change. My message to Sachem Kindergarten parents, demand that Albany reallocate UPK funds so that Sachem can not only keep Kindergarten, but keep it full day. Fight hard and fight loud. We stand with you!