BILL NUMBER: S6126
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring school
districts utilize all allotted funds for universal prekindergarten
programs
 
PURPOSE:
To incentive and require schools to utilize all State funding for their
UPK programming
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends Section 3602-e of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 21. States that schools must utilize the totality of their
allotted UPK funds set forth in the budget. Exemptions apply if there is
insufficient demand for state-funded slots. If underutilization is due
to a lack of classroom space, the district must develop a plan to
address the issue. The Board of Regents and the Commissioner have the
authority to adopt regulations to enforce these requirements.
Section 2: Amends section 3602-ee of the education law by adding a new
subdivision 18. States that schools that provide universal full-day UPK
shall utilize the totality of awarded funds for such year. Exemptions
apply if there is insufficient demand for state-funded slots. If underu-
tilization is due to a lack of classroom space, the district must devel-
op a plan to address the issue. The Board of Regents and the Commission-
er have the authority to adopt regulations to enforce these
requirements. Any such facility that fails to comply with this subdivi-
sion during any school year shall be subject to the requirements of
subdivision six of section twenty-one hundred two-a of this chapter.
Section 3: Amends section 2102-a of the education law by adding two new
subdivisions 5 and 6. In school districts that fail to fully utilize
their UPK funds and do not receive an exemption, every trustee or voting
member of a board of education shall, by April first of the school year
in which the funds were underutilized, complete a minimum of twelve
hours of training on the importance of early childhood education, learn-
ing, and development.
Section 4: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that every four-year-old in
New York State has access to pre-k. From 2014-2021, Universal Pre-K
(UPK) funding was distributed disproportionately, with New York City
receiving a dedicated stream of funding to provide UPK while the rest of
the state was left out in exchange for temporary property tax relief
checks. This created a significant geographical inequity in early child-
hood education, disadvantaging children outside of the five boroughs. In
2021, a long-overdue shift in policy secured $230 million for UPK expan-
sion beyond New York City, with a commitment to fully phase in the
program statewide over the following years.
Since 2021, it has become clear that some school districts are not
utilizing the totality of the UPK funding allocated to them in the State
budget, and returning allocated funds to the State. Now, it is crucial
that the State ensures these funds are actually used for their intended
purpose-providing high-quality pre-k opportunities for every child-rath-
er than being left on the table.
The benefits of early childhood education are undeniable. Studies show
that children who attend pre-k have higher high school graduation rates,
increased college attendance, and better long-term economic outcomes.
With childcare costs soaring, ensuring full access to UPK helps provide
families with much-needed financial relief. By requiring school
districts and facilities to fully utilize their allocated funds, this
bill ensures that taxpayer money is put to work, families receive the
support they need, and children across the state get a strong start in
their education.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6126: 3602-e education law, 3602-ee education law, 2102-a education law