MONTICELLO, NY — The Monticello Central School District is slated to receive a $179,800 “Priority Full-day Prekindergarten and Expanded Half-day Prekindergarten for High Need Students” grant from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The purpose of the expanded prekindergarten program is to provide a quality early education opportunity for eligible children (age four) who reside in the Monticello Central School District.

The grant will allow 38 children to join its Universal Pre-K program including 19 placements in the Project Excel Universal Pre-K program managed by Easter Seals of New York State, Inc. The grant funding will also create a partnership with Sullivan County Head Start in Monticello to offer 19 placements at their school.

“The sad reality is that many families within our district cannot afford to send their children to prekindergarten programs,” said Monticello Superintendent of Schools Daniel A. Teplesky.