Sussex-Wantage district gets preschool grant

The Sussex-Wantage Regional School District will begin offering a free all-day pre-kindergarten program in 2024.

It will be funded with about $2.2 million awarded by the state.

The Hardyston, Lafayette and Sparta school districts also were among the 26 districts throughout New Jersey receiving a total of $24.9 million in Preschool Expansion Aid, acting Gov. Tahesha Way said Oct. 18.

The money will go to establish or expand access to high-quality preschool programs in the 2023-24 school year. It will add more than 1,715 seats to the state’s expanding preschool system.

A high-quality preschool program is defined as a full-day program that has a certificated teacher, an aide and small classes that are inclusive of children with special needs.

“Providing children with access to preschool programs not only sets our students up for success, but also yields both short- and long-term economic benefits for their families and communities,” Way said.

Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting state commissioner of education, said, “Our vision is to create an educational landscape where every child, regardless of their background, can thrive from the very beginning of their academic journey. This investment not only expands preschool seats but also opens doors to greater educational and life opportunities for our state’s future leaders.”

Working for years

“We have been working hard for years to make this happen,” said Sussex-Wantage Superintendent Michael Gall. “Thanks to the perseverance of my colleagues and the unwavering leadership of our Board of Education, it finally came to fruition.”

To obtain the funds, the district presented an extensive plan to the state Department of Education, he said. “It was an ‘all hands on deck’ effort and I am so grateful to everyone who put in the time to make this happen.”

The district plans to roll out the program during the next few years.

Alissa Cecchini, chairwoman of the school board’s Pre-K Ad Hoc Committee, said her goal when she elected to the board was for the district to obtain the preschool grant.

“Now for years to come, all families within the district can reap the benefits of having an all-day free preschool. This will help immensely - both academically for the district and personally for struggling families who are unable to afford adequate preschool,” she said.

Board president Nicholas D’Agostino emphasized the collaboration of district and community members.

“I can recall during a strategic planning meeting several years ago, community members brought this idea to the table. As stewards of the taxpayers, we began mapping out a plan of action,” he said.

“Academically speaking, this will benefit us in our goal of becoming a Blue Ribbon school district ... . This is a great day for our entire community and it should be celebrated!”

For information about registering for the program, go online to the district’s website at https://www.swregional.org/