Bill Keeps Pushing Pre-K, Saying City is Ready

By Zina Paschal, Rebeca Ibarra & Conor Syracuse

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday stepped up his campaign to fast-track his universal pre-K plan by declaring that New York City is “more than ready” to implement the program by September.

But he stressed that the chief hurdle remained getting the funding to do so. The renewed push for fulfilling his signature campaign promise came at a news conference at P.S. 130 in Little  Italy, one of the schools in the neighborhood targeted for pre-K in the fall.

“This is real. This is achievable,” said de Blasio. “But this is something we cannot do without sustainable, dedicated resources.”

The school is one of five sites that have applied to house full day universal pre-K programs in September.

City officials said that the Department of Education has received proposals for 29,000 seats in all five boroughs, more that the 21,000 seats targeted by the mayor in January.

“Parents are counting on us,” de Blasio said. “We are doing our part here in New York City but we need our friends in Albany to do their part.”

The mayor’s universal pre-K plan aims to provide full day pre-K for all four-year-old children in the city. Some 20,000 children now attend full day pre-K. If implemented, the Administration projects, some  53,600 children would attend full day pre-K in the fall.

“We have to understand the extraordinary multiplier effect that pre-K has,” said de Blasio. “In the current education environment where only one out of four graduating seniors are college ready, pre-K is critical in improving the quality of our schools.”

The mayor said he plans to focus on the needs of students learning English and increased support for families in high needs areas. He asserted that the space and professionals were available.

“A small income tax on the wealthiest residents in our city, one that will have very minimal impact on their economic reality will create an extraordinary impact for this city, for its children, for its family, and for its school system,” said de Blasio.

De Blasio and Governor Cuomo both agree that full day universal pre-K throughout the city is possible but they differ on how to pay for it. Cuomo said he would fund the plan from the state budget without taxing the rich. Such a method, according to de  Blasio, would subject pre-K to the winds of change.

“I want to amplify the opportunity not only to help kids early but to give them that strong foundation,” de Blasio said.