Schalmont, NY, August 19, 2025

News Summary

The Schalmont Central School District is reopening Woestina Elementary after 15 years to establish a new Pre-K program for local families. The program, beginning in 2025, will accommodate 54 students across three classrooms, with support available before and after school. An open house was held to showcase renovations, and interest in enrollment is strong, with a lottery system planned if demand exceeds capacity. The initiative reinforces the district’s commitment to early childhood education despite potential funding challenges.

Schalmont Central School District Reopens Woestina Elementary 15 Years After Closure to Launch New Pre-K Program

Schalmont, NY – The Schalmont Central School District is set to reopen Woestina Elementary School for the first time in 15 years, as the venue will serve as the home for a new Pre-K program starting in the 2025 school year. This notable decision marks a significant shift in the district’s schooling strategy following the closure of the school at the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year due to a decline in student enrollment.

To celebrate the reopening, the district hosted an open house on August 18, showcasing the recent renovations made to the elementary school in anticipation of students returning on September 10. The new Pre-K program aims to cater to local families, providing much-needed early education options within the community.

The program is designed to accommodate 54 Pre-K students across three classrooms, with plans to expand to six classrooms in the future if demand allows. The district reports that over 40 families have already expressed interest in enrolling their children by the deadline, set for April 11. In the event that the enrollment surpasses available spots, a lottery system will be implemented to allocate positions fairly among interested students.

Enrollment criteria stipulate that children must be four years old by December 1 and reside within the Schalmont Central School District. The school will operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, with supportive programs available before and after school. Before care will begin at 7:30 AM, and aftercare will extend until 5:30 PM.

Students at the new Pre-K program will receive free meals, including breakfast and lunch, fostering a supportive learning environment. Funding for the initiative will come from state aid, which amounts to $5,400 per student or approximately $291,600 total, alongside resources from the district’s budget specifically allocated for such initiatives. The district has been proactive in planning the reopening to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, even amidst potential threats of federal funding cuts.

Superintendent Tom Reardon has emphasized that Woestina Elementary is “here to stay,” indicating a robust commitment to the community’s educational landscape despite challenges ahead. The reopening of Woestina also aims to enhance community engagement and provide after-school programming, enriching the educational offerings available to families.

The decision to reopen follows previous efforts to maintain the property after it had been leased to Capital Region BOCES, a partnership that ended in 2020. Importantly, due to logistical challenges concerning car seats and state mandates, the district will not provide transportation for Pre-K students.

Parents who attended the open house expressed their gratitude for the availability of local Pre-K options, highlighting previous struggles to locate programs that suit their needs. The reopening of Woestina Elementary is poised to serve as a foundation for future educational initiatives, thereby reinforcing the importance of early childhood education in the Schalmont Central School District.

Key Features of the Pre-K Program at Woestina Elementary

• Location: Woestina Elementary School
• Opening Date: 2025 school year
• Classrooms: Three classrooms, expanding to six if needed
• Total Capacity: 54 students
• Operating Days: Monday to Friday
• Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 2 PM
• Before Care: Starts at 7:30 AM
• After Care: Until 5:30 PM
• Meals: Free breakfast and lunch provided
• Funding: $5,400 per student in state aid

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Additional Resources

• News10: Woestina School Reopening
• Wikipedia: Pre-kindergarten
• CBS6: Schalmont Central School District Reopens Woestina Elementary
• Google Search: Early Childhood Education
• Daily Gazette: Schalmont Rotterdam Pre-K
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pre-kindergarten
• Times Union: COVID-19 Case on Mohonasen’s First Day
• Google News: School Reopening

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