Can Scarsdale Host Universal Pre-K for Four Year-Olds?

A universal Pre-K program for four year-olds statewide could become a reality soon, if Kathy Hochul’s proposal, as delivered in her January 8, 2026 State of the State message is approved in the NYS Legislature.

She is proposing to offer district’s $10,000 per student to provide the Pre-K program for four year-olds whose parents request the program beginning in the 2028-29 school year.

However, what happens when a district has no room to house the program, and the state aid does not fund the entire expense?

Discussing the proposal at a Board of Education meeting on Monday February 9, 2026, Board member Suzie Hahn said, “At first glance this could be another unfunded or unfully funded mandate which could be problematic for us. I think a lot of other districts in the state can accommodate a Universal Pre-K program, because they might see declining enrollment and have room in their buildings, or they might have local programs that they can easily send their four year-olds to that would be within the $10,000 per pupil allotment that the Governor is proposing. I did a quick look on the computer, some of our most popular programs here have tuitions over $20,000, and I believe the mandate is for five hours a day, so even a half day program wouldn't work. Space could obviously be a problem. Who would be staffing these programs? Would it have to be a certified person? Allowing four year-olds to have access to education is important. So it's not that we don't believe in that, but it could be a lot of money for us potentially.”

She suggested that the Scarsdale School Board use the following language about the proposal in a letter to State Senator Shelley Mayer, who heads the Education Committee:
“UPK Mandate: While we recognize the value of Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs and the importance of this initiative for many NYS school districts, the Governor’s UPK mandate as currently proposed could be problematic for Scarsdale. Even with the proposed generous increase in UPK aid, the per pupil aid allocation would not fully fund a program for all four year-olds in our district. Our school buildings are already at capacity and local full-day 4s program tuitions are significantly higher than the proposed per student aid amount. We understand that this proposal is developing and will be watching it carefully.”