The Kingston City School District has received notification of an award of $350,000 from the New York State Education Department for services and expenses to be used during the 2008-2009 school year for implementation of a district Montessori school.

The school district has been working on the Montessori proposal for over a year with strong support from Senator William Larkin.  Senator Larkin has met with the district administration on several occasions since September to discuss the educational plan and its benefits to the children in the community.  As an advocate for offering alternatives to the elementary students, he is credited with acquiring the start up funds that have been received.

The $350,000 will be used to train the staff and to purchase Montessori classroom supplies.  The program will be fully implemented for ages 3, 4 and 5 at the George Washington Elementary School in September. 

Teachers at other grade levels, although not following a complete Montessori curriculum next year, will begin training in Montessori this summer and incorporate some of the teaching methods into their classes in the fall.