Roxbury School Board Seeks Grant to Launch Free Preschool

ROXBURY, NJ – The Roxbury School District is applying for a grant that would fund the establishment of a free, full-time preschool program for township children aged three and four.

The Roxbury School Board, on Monday, approved a resolution to submit the application to the state. “This one opens the door for an exciting new venture in Roxbury,” said Roxbury School Board Chairman Leo Coakley.

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According to Roxbury Schools Superintendent Frank Santora, the money would help the district establish “full-day, universal, free pre-school to any students of the appropriate school age.”

Santora, along with Roxbury Schools Business Administrator Joe Mondanaro, will answer questions about the matter at Santora’s “Coffee & Conversation” public gathering on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln-Roosevelt School.

The district must apply for the grant by Aug. 14, and it will learn in the early autumn whether it is approved, Santora said. If the money is approved, the district must implement the preschool program within 75 days of receiving the money, he added.

“This is something I’ve had my eye on for at least the past three or four years, and I’m glad we're finally moving forward with it,” Mondanaro said. “This is a game-changer not only for the district but for the community of Roxbury as well. Free, full-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds throughout Roxbury. It’s just amazing.”

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If funded, the program would be implemented in stages, said the district officials. “The idea is, by the fifth year, to have 90 percent of the eligible children in Roxbury in it,” Coakley said.

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