Senate Passes Legislation To Help All New York Schools Offer Full Day Kindergarten

The New York State Senate today passed a bill to expand full day kindergarten to school districts that currently only offer half day kindergarten programs. The legislation (S700B) would help ensure that all children have access to a quality educational foundation by providing additional resources to school districts with half day programs to transition to full day programs.

Senator Rich Funke (R-C-I, Perinton) said, “Today we took another important step in delivering full day kindergarten for students in Pittsford and the other remaining districts around the state that are struggling to implement full day kindergarten. This legislation that I am proud to co-sponsor creates an enhanced 5-year incentive in the form of additional transition aid for districts that still need to add this important program. Governor Cuomo agreed to help us address this problem last year. However, the incentive included in his Executive budget fell short. The one included in this bill allows predictability for the school district and protects local taxpayers. April 1st is closing in and the end of the budget is right around the corner. I’ll be working now until the final enacted budget to make sure that the Governor keeps his promise from last year to ensure that all students in our great state have access to full day kindergarten.”

Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester) said, “I am proud to co-sponsor this measure that will ensure the ability for school districts statewide to offer full day kindergarten. It is critically important that our youngest students have access to the educational and support resources that a full day of school offers, enabling them to be on the right track for educational success for their future.”

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) said, “Every student should have access to full day kindergarten.  While most school districts in the state already provide a full day program, a handful of districts do not.  It is time for the state to invest the necessary resources to ensure that all children have access to full day kindergarten regardless of where they live.”

Senator William Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) said, “As the representative of two school districts with half day kindergarten programs, I am thrilled to see the Senate taking the lead on this important issue. The Senate Majority’s commitment to schoolchildren, their families, and providing first class educational opportunities is unmatched, and this is just further proof. I applaud Majority Leader Flanagan for bringing this important bill to the floor and for his efforts in making full day kindergarten a reality for every child in New York State.”

Senator Kathy Marchione (R-C-I-Reform, Halfmoon) said, “This legislation I co-sponsor would expand access to full day kindergarten for the five districts in New York State, including Shenendehowa, that presently do not offer these important full day programs. The legislation will help incentivize the districts in taking necessary steps to provide full day kindergarten, effectively expanding educational opportunities and even brighter futures, for more children,”

Though the number of half day kindergarten programs statewide is significantly fewer than past years, the state’s current aid program has yet to ensure that every kindergarten program in New York is full day. There are five districts in the state that currently don’t offer full day kindergarten programs – Shenendehowa, Brighton, Pittsford, Washingtonville, and North Rockland. In this bill, the districts would be better able to transition to full day kindergarten with varying levels of additional state assistance over a period of five years.

This measure will be among the education initiatives included in the Senate’s 2018-19 budget resolution being taken up on Wednesday, March 14.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.