Ansonia, Derby get grants to aid preschool programs

Schools in Ansonia and Derby will benefit from $225,000 in state grants to help beef up security, expand programs for preschoolers and build playgrounds for students.

Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, announced in a press release Monday that the state Bond Commission approved $75,000 for the Ansonia School District, and $150,000 for the Derby School District.

Derby schools will receive the funding for installation of an indoor playground, improvements to windows and floors and security upgrades to its preschool program, the Little Raiders University, located at Derby High School.

“Smart Start,” which the General Assembly approved in 2014, is a competitive state grant program to reimburse local and regional school boards for capital and operating expenses related to establishing or expanding a preschool program.

Derby Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway said the $150,000 grant is welcome news, and will specifically benefit the Little Raiders University.

Conway said the funding will enable Derby to expand the pre-K program to open it up to an additional 36 3- and 4-year-olds.

Ansonia Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone said the state money will directly benefit the district’s “Smart Start pre-K” program at Mead School, which opened in August 2015.

Merlone said the $75,000 will pay for a new playground at Mead School, which she said currently does not have a playground that meets the national accreditation standards for preschoolers.