Ruiz Commends State Aid for Pre-K Expansion

Trenton – Senate President Pro Tempore M. Teresa Ruiz issued the following statement commending the state aid awarded to Belleville school district in Essex County. The New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Education Aid program awarded Belleville $892,452 so as to expand their Pre-K programs in the district:

“Research shows that high quality early childhood programs have a lifelong impact on a child’s academic and economic achievements. I am energized and excited about the continued expansion of our state’s pre-K program, particularly here in Essex County. Universal preschool has been a cornerstone of my legislative career, a point that rings particularly true today because it was my daughter’s first day of Pre-K.

“For the past three years we have been making an investment in early childhood education and I am proud that one of this year’s recipients, the Township of Belleville, is right here in my home district. We worked aggressively with the Department of Education, the Board of Education and the Mayor to find ways to expand this critically needed resource to all our families. This is the first step towards ensuring access to this fundamental education for the children of Belleville. I am grateful to the Governor for his partnership in this endeavor and look forward to supporting and expanding all of our programs in the future.”