Montauk Reinstates Prekindergarten

   With school to start next Thursday, Jack Perna, the district superintendent, wanted to make sure this week that the community knows the school board decided to reinstate a full-day prekindergarten program.

   Enrollment is down to 32 students, making it possible to have two classes with 16 pupils in each. The program will run Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Last year, the student numbers were much higher and the board split the group into four classes, with two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Working parents pleaded with the board to add a third class so that some students could attend for a full day. They even offered to hold fund-raisers to pay for it. At the time, many parents said it would be almost impossible to leave their workplaces to pick up students at the assigned times. They were told that the price of adding another teacher and an aide, plus health insurance for the new employees would make it impossible.

 Mr. Perna also reminded parents that they or adult guardians must transport the little ones to and from school.