The parents of more than 100,000 four-year-olds are desperately seeking spots in the citys pre-kindergarten program for their children, but the few seats available may soon be gone unless local Queens political heavyweights have their way.
Matilda Cuomo, former first lady of New York State, joined Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin in front of a state-funded early childhood center in Richmond Hill on Monday morning to protest Governor Patakis sweeping budget cut proposals.
Under the Pataki plan, the state would cut $1.4 billion in education funding, including $200 million in cuts for pre-k and early childhood programs. Such a drop in education spending will lock another 60,000 children out of New York Citys pre-k classes, and it will lead to the elimination of the "early intervention" program for children under the age of three, according to McLaughlin.
"Governor Pataki, do the right thing," he said in front of the Matilda Raffa Cuomo Early Childhood Center on 101st Avenue, flanked by several placard-carrying parents. "Stand up with the State Legislature this week and save this center."
A group of concerned parents approached the assemblyman several weeks ago about the dangers budget cuts pose to the Cuomo Center, which serves 320 children. Many of those children would lose their spots if the cuts are enacted.
McLaughlin, in turn, asked Cuomo, a long-time educator, to help him publicize the issue.
"Queens has always been close to my heart," she said, reflecting on her family roots in the borough. "I told him Id make time."
During the rally, she had available a barrage of statistics highlighting the necessity of pre-k programs.
According to documents provided by Cuomo, a recent study by the Chicagos Child-Parent Centers found that children who attend pre-k are 70% less likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18.
And a recent Rutgers University report found that pre-k could save Florida school districts up to $3 billion by reducing the need for expensive special education classes.
"Im a teacher, and I know and appreciate what pre-k means," said Cuomo. "Weve got to advocate for these children. Its common sense."
The former first ladys criticism of her husbands successor was thinly veiled.
"Didnt I hear someone campaigning about strengthening education? Words, words, words we want action."
Her namesake, the Cuomo Center, has been an important resource for Richmond Hill since it opened in 1988. "Weve grown with the community," said Dianne Cattrano, the school director.
The center is one of three early childhood facilities in Queens run by HeartShare, a non-profit agency that provides services for children and adults with special needs.
More than 100 of the Cuomo Centers children have learning disabilities, and they are placed in classes with pre-k students known as "integrated classes" where "non-disabled peers" serve as models for disabled children, aiding in their development.
The Pataki cuts would make integrated classes virtually impossible, according to Linda Temple, the Executive Director for HeartShare centers.
Part of the governors budget proposals calls on parents to take up some of the expenses for pre-k programs on their own. This, however, is an inadequate solution, Temple said. Many children at the Cuomo Center come from working class families that would be unable to afford such expenses. And HeartShare officials are reluctant to become bill collectors.
Parents are mobilizing to make their opposition known, she continued. Many have started lobbying elected officials, like McLaughlin, and are initiating letter-writing campaigns.
"They really want their children to get a good start," said Carol Verdi, the organizations director of early childhood services. "Theyll do anything to get it."
