Ritchie Secures Nearly $215,000 for Central and Northern New York Schools

Funding will be used for Full Day Pre-Kindergarten Expansion and Community Learning Center Programs

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured nearly $215,000 in special funding to help enrich educational opportunities in Central and Northern New York through an expansion of full-day pre-kindergarten and community learning center programs.

Included in the funding is more than $60,000 for the Oswego City School District to expand its full day pre-kindergarten program.  For use with community learning center programs, the Fulton City School District was awarded nearly $47,000 and the Watertown City School District will receive nearly $108,000. 

“I am thrilled to be able to help provide this funding, which will go a long way towards ensuring the students in our region have access to top-notch educational opportunities that set them on a path for bright futures,” said Senator Ritchie.

“As we head back to Albany and begin the 2014 Legislative Session, I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard in an effort to support initiatives and secure resources like these that enable our students to succeed.”

The funding represents Senator Ritchie’s latest effort to help support Central and Northern New York schools.  Last year, New York State increased its commitment to public education with the largest school aid package in four years.  In addition, the school aid package was weighted to rural and Upstate schools, providing $25 million more than the prior year in education aid to districts in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.