District officials and board members said a prekindergarten focus group is wrapping up recommendations that the board will consider at a future meeting, and that the district plans a stand‑alone universal prekindergarten program with play space installed at the chosen site.

Nicholas Ciappetta said the “pre k focus group is wrapping up now and I believe that they’ll be presenting to the board of education on May 7, their recommendations.” He described the group’s work as covering session length, daily schedule, number of sessions and site selection.

Ciappetta said the current recommendation from administration (as described at the forum) is to house universal pre‑K at Silas Wood and that playgrounds would be installed once a permanent site is selected. “So once we find their permanent spot, we’re gonna add those playgrounds,” he said.

Several speakers stressed early childhood benefits. Board member Peter (first name not specified in forum) and others said universal pre‑K will allow earlier diagnosis and intervention for learning differences and support English‑language learners; Ciappetta called the program “a game changer” for the district and said the plan aims to launch for the 2026–27 school year.

Geraldine Westman Clark, a candidate and retired educator, said that not having age‑appropriate playground equipment at Silas Wood previously was a misstep for early‑childhood development and urged that any move must include play spaces before children are placed in a new site.

Ciappetta and other board speakers described the pre‑K project as part of the district’s multi‑year plans, with several related budget and facility items under review. No final board vote occurred at the forum; speakers described the focus group’s May 7 presentation as the next step.

The forum record indicates the district is pursuing a stand‑alone universal pre‑K model, that playgrounds and multiple sessions are under consideration, and that the board will receive formal recommendations from the focus group in a scheduled board meeting.