LYNN — The School Committee’s policy sub-committee unanimously voted to expand pre-kindergarten access in Lynn Public Schools by allowing 3-year-old general education students to apply for available Pre-K seats.
Currently, general education Pre-K seats are limited to 4-year-olds, while children under the age of 4 are primarily enrolled in Pre-K programs through Individualized Education Programs. However, this new policy will allow general education 3-year-olds to enter the Pre-K lottery. 4-year-olds will get priority in the lottery, while 3-year-olds will be eligible if seats remain available.
“We’re paving the way for opportunity and access,” said LPS Compliance Office Charlie Gallo. “This would make a great difference in the lives of our young students and young families.”
LPS Director of Early Learning Jackie Gallo emphasized that the new policy would align with the district’s goals to broaden inclusion and equity.
“Our goal is to expand equitable access to inclusionary preschool opportunities, while also strengthening program quality, stabilizing enrollment, and ensuring alignment with broader district initiatives,” Gallo said.
She added that the opportunity would increase social skill development and allow for more developmentally aligned grouping with students.
“(It) leads to more targeted instruction, improved classroom management, and support and greater consistency for teachers and families,” she said.
Mayor Jared Nicholson clarified that the new policy would not add Pre-K seats. Rather, under his administration, LPS was able to increase the number of Pre-K seats available, allowing 3-year-olds the opportunity to enroll.
“The goal of expansion is to get all 4-year-olds access to Pre-K. We now have a reason to have seats for 3-year-olds,” Nicholson said. “We’ve added so many seats, there’s now a reason to make this policy change, because there could be potential seats that would meet the needs of a 3 year old.”
Although School Committee member Brian Castellanos is not on the sub-policy committee, he voiced his support for the new course of action.
“To see this come into fruition and see everyone over the years stay so persistent on this, this has been very well executed,” Castellanos said.
The new policy was then approved by policy sub-committee members Eric Dugan, Sean Reid, and Andrea Satterwhite.
