CLARK, NJ — On Wednesday, October 16, Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Education Acting Commissioner Kevin Dehmer announced that 18 school districts will receive Fiscal Year 2025 preschool expansion funds. This funding aims to establish or enhance access to high-quality preschool programs for the 2024-2025 school year. The Clark Public School District is among the recipients.
Clark has been awarded $1,860,188, making it the only school district in Union County to receive this funding. The other 17 districts are located in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Sussex Counties.
In total, the state will distribute $19,998,511 to these 18 districts. Currently, 293 New Jersey school districts have state-funded, high-quality preschool programs, with 229 established under the Murphy Administration.
Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of investing in early childhood education, stating, “Our investment in early childhood provides the youngest learners with a solid foundation for success. Today’s announcement builds on my ongoing commitment to expand early childhood education to more communities. Our long-term goal is to ensure every 3- and 4-year-old in the state has access to a high-quality preschool program.”
Acting Commissioner Dehmer highlighted the remarkable growth of preschool programs in New Jersey. He noted, “Governor Murphy’s continued support means that, with the addition of the programs announced today, we are now providing nearly 77,000 children in New Jersey with state-funded, high-quality preschool each year. This significantly broadens the futures of many young lives.”
The New Jersey Department of Education defines a high-quality preschool program as a full-day initiative with a certified teacher, an aide, a curriculum aligned with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, and small class sizes that include children with special needs who have individualized education plans.
In Clark, Superintendent Edward Grande led the effort to secure the preschool grant with a team of grant writers. He expressed gratitude for the strong support from the Clark Board of Education (BOE). Grande noted that BOE Vice President Tom Lewis played a key role in connecting him with valuable contacts throughout the state and county.
The district was informed of its successful funding application just in time for the announcement at the October 7 BOE meeting. Grande stated, “We have immense confidence that this program will positively impact the education of our youngest learners.”
TAPinto Clark also spoke with Tom Lewis, who shared his excitement about the initiative. He remarked, “As a longtime BOE member, I believe this may be the most important initiative I’ve been part of—bringing universal preschool to the district. It provides enrichment and an early start for our youngest students, benefiting families and parents in the community. This is truly a new beginning for Clark Public Schools. I’m delighted that we secured this grant.”
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