Marion Central board approves action to support third UPK section for this year

The Marion Central School District board voted to move forward with creating a UPK teacher position and to allow staff to enroll children in a third Universal Pre-Kindergarten section this year.

Superintendent said current UPK enrollment stands at 36 students with two pending packets, bringing expected enrollment to 38, which the superintendent said supports adding a third section. The superintendent reported an increased reimbursement rate for integrated UPK students, stating a figure of $237 but noting she did not recall the cents. She said two of the sections would serve integrated special-education students and one would be a general-education section, and that creating the third section requires hiring a UPK teacher.

Director moved the motion to create the position and allow the temporary staff-enrollment arrangement; Committee member seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the motion passed. The superintendent said the district would treat the change as a one-year arrangement and would reassess whether to continue the position after the year.

Board members expressed concern about logistics if staff members enroll their children, including transportation and before/after-care arrangements; the superintendent said staff transportation and care remain staff responsibilities and noted space was available. The superintendent also emphasized the need to define terms for any consultant or interim arrangements and for clear contract parameters.

What happens next: the board approved the administrative step to create the UPK teacher position and implement the third section for the coming year; the superintendent said any long-term commitment will be reviewed at the end of the year.