New York CIty Council Member Ben Kallos

Leslie Brody

Wall Street Journal More Pre-K Seats Planned for Upper East Side by Leslie Brody

More Pre-K Seats Planned for Upper East Side
Leslie Brody

Wall Street Journal Ben Kallos, a Democratic councilman who represents the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, has pushed for more pre-K seats there for years, often sending photos of empty storefronts that could serve as centers to the Department of Education. Mr. Kallos said private pre-K in that area typically starts at $24,000 per child yearly, and getting a free public seat lets parents keep working and stay in the city.

“My only concern is that this is an incredibly popular program and it will continue to be a victim of its own success as more and more parents apply,” and demand will keep outpacing supply, he said.