The Bethlehem Central School District is seeking a partnership with one or more community-based organizations to provide a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for up to 235 four-year-olds within the district. The district is soliciting proposals from qualified providers in a Request for Proposals (RFP) that was issued this week. There is currently no UPK program in the district.

Funding is available from New York State to provide an instructional program for four-year-olds in the Bethlehem Central School District. The district could receive up to $1,269,000 to support a UPK program in 2024-25 if the district can contract with a qualified community provider that meets the early childhood education requirements for the pre-kindergarten program. 

New York State has set the maximum reimbursement for UPK providers at $5,400 per child, including a district administrative reimbursement of $300.

Due to space constraints, the district can not provide a UPK program in its school buildings. New York State allows districts to use the UPK funds to contract with outside providers to offer a UPK program within the boundaries of the district.

“This is the fourth year in a row we have issued this RFP to secure a qualified partner to provide a quality instructional program for four-year-olds. We remain hopeful that we can eventually bring a UPK option to the BC community,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “We are expanding the RFP application period this year from a month to six weeks and would encourage providers of early childhood education to review the program specifications and apply by March 15.”

View a copy of the BCSD Pre-Kindergarten Program Request for Proposal (RFP) [PDF]

Monroe said if a UPK program is established through a partnership in the district, enrollment would be by lottery.

Interested applicants have until Friday, Mar. 15 at 3 p.m. to submit a proposal to the district.

If you are unable to view the PDF, please email districtoffice@bethlehemschools.org to obtain a copy in a different format.