The Neighborhood Center of Utica will run the Pre-kindergarten program at Waterville Central School next year.
Waterville Board of Education members approved the agreement for 2021-22 at a cost of $206,793. The approved contract runs through 2025-26, which will cost the district $222,651.
The Neighborhood Center will take over the program that was started and run by Small Blessings Preschool of Westmoreland. Their involvement with the program run at Memorial Park School ended in March 2020 with the start of the pandemic; no program was allowed this year.
According to the district, the Neighborhood Center was the only vendor who replied to a Request For Proposals.
Although new to running the district’s Pre-K, the Neighborhood Center has provided services to WCS for years, and since spring 2020 through the Connected Community Schools program.
WCS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring said the new provider has over 20 years experience in Pre-K. She said the district was ready to work with them and excited about having them here.
The program will run similarly to how it has gone the past years. Two classes of 18 students each will attend for a 5.5 hours a day and follow the school calendar.
Transportation will be provided. Registration opens June 14; Spring said a lottery will be conducted if more than 36 WCS students sign up.
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