Stafford Receives Over $1M In Preschool Funding

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STAFFORD – As part of Governor Murphy’s new Preschool Education Expansion Aid (PEEA) program, Stafford Township School District will be receiving $1,245,471 in funding to “enhance and expand preschool education programs.”

Stafford’s district was chosen among 30 other eligible districts for the first round of funding, totaling about $20.6 million. The second round, anticipated to be $26.7 million, will be distributed in early October, according to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE).

“By investing in early childhood education, we are making a long-term investment in the next generation,” said Governor Murphy in a press release. “Every child deserves the opportunity to have access to quality pre-K programs and this funding will provide our children with the tools and support they need to reach their greatest potential.”

According to NJDOE, funding for PEEA is distributed based on the amount of low-income students in the district.

“This funding will support existing preschool programs to provide high-quality programming by extending the hours, decreasing class size, and adding additional children,” stated NJDOE. “The districts will improve seats for 1,218 preschool children and will open new seats for 882 new preschool children.”

Stafford is one of three Ocean County districts to receive first-round funding, including Lakehurst and Berkeley.