School districts in Alpha, Greenwich, Pohatcong and Lopatcong cluster together to tackle preschool initiative

POHATCONG TWP. | Four area school districts are joining forces to meet a state mandate for preschool expansion while avoiding costly blows to their budgets.

School officials in Alpha and Greenwich, Lopatcong and Pohatcong townships are required by the state to provide an approved full-day preschool program to low-income families starting next year.

District officials confirmed their intention of renting space in Pohatcong School on Route 519 to house the program. They plan to use the Warren County Special Services to provide instructors and a curriculum for the service.

Alpha, the only so-called Abbott district among the four, is required to provide a universal program for all age-eligible students within the district.

The three other districts are required to provide the service only to low-income families. According to Kathryn Forsyth, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Education, only those households bringing in $39,220 or less for a family of four are eligible.

Alpha Chief School Administrator Donna Medea said state estimates say Alpha has about 30 eligible students, while the other districts will have four to six students each.

"We definitely have to do this in cooperation with other districts because otherwise, financially, it just wouldn't make sense," Lopatcong Interim Superintendent William Caldwell said.

New Jersey requires teachers to have proper certification and training for early childhood education and classrooms cannot exceed 15 students.

Warren County Special Services Superintendent Regina Swierc said the districts selected a creative curriculum for the program, which is also used by Phillipsburg's preschool program, called the Early Childhood Learning Center.

Swierc estimates three or four preschool classes next year at Pohatcong School.

Forsyth praised the districts' cooperative efforts.

"Especially in these situations, it's much more efficient if the districts come together and have one classroom," she said Thursday.

Districts who choose not to farm out the preschool program to a private provider can expect more funds from the state, according to Forsyth. She said the department will provide $11,256 per eligible pupil.

The Warren County Special Services District would not count as a private provider, Swierc explained.

Details are still being discussed concerning transportation and how ineligible but interested families can become involved. Swierc said more information should be made available within a few weeks.

"In my opinion this is great stuff because you're reaching out to the kids who need it," Swierc said.