HOBOKEN — As reported here last month, many parents were surprised when their 3-year-olds were wait-listed in the Hoboken school district for the free pre-school programs for this coming fall. Hoboken is an urban Abbott “special needs” district and gets special funding for free pre-K education.
Apparently, more parents than usual received wait list notices this year than in years past. Superintendent Mark Toback has said that there was an extra classroom added this year, but still, the district couldn’t keep up with the demand of a larger number of applicants this year.
Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, who is running for mayor against Mayor Dawn Zimmer in November, issued a press release Friday saying the news was “unacceptable.”
The release says: “According to a report by the Education Law Center, about 70 parents received notice that their children have been put on a wait-list. A state Supreme Court ruling requires that Hoboken and 30 other ‘Abbott’ districts must provide pre-k for each eligible applicant.”
Ramos said, “Early childhood education is essential for young children to succeed in their future education. That’s why I have been working in the Assembly to make sure the state of New Jersey meets its annual obligation to place every eligible child into a free, public pre-k program every September. The news that parents are being told there isn’t room for their children is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately and with urgency.”
Ramos added, “It seems like the Department of Education and the Hoboken School District Superintendent are engaged in a vigorous round of playing the blame game. I will do my best to work with the Department of Education to explore any solutions that could be pursued from my Assembly office. In the meantime, it is my sincere hope that the Hoboken School District drops its stance that in the six weeks between now and the first day of school that 70 spots will open for the families on the wait list.”
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