Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) announced that he was successful in the fight to bring the Brentwood School District $400,000 in additional discretionary aid.

“Providing an excellent education for our kids is essential to our community,” said Assemblyman Ramos. “I’m very happy to have secured these extra funds to help our students excel and to help offset expenses for the district without increasing the property tax burden on our local families.”

The funds secured by Assemblyman Ramos will go toward the district’s pre-k program to ensure all children are given the educational head start they deserve. In this year’s budget, Assemblyman Ramos secured over $3.3 million to expand Universal pre-k. However, many Brentwood students still would have gotten only half-day pre-k. This additional $400,000 will ensure that a greater number of students will now get pre-k.

“The Brentwood community can always count on Assemblyman Ramos to deliver for our children. As a result of this funding a significant number of children will get the solid foundation they need to assure that they are prepared for success,” Joseph Bond, Superintendent Brentwood School District

“We thank Assemblyman Ramos for bringing additional state aid to our Brentwood schools. Since day one, Assemblyman Ramos has been a strong voice for our children and has made their education one of his top priorities – we are grateful for that. This additional investment in pre-k will give more kids the opportunity for a brighter future,” said Robert Feliciano, Brentwood School Board Member.

Studies have shown that a preschool education helps children perform better, promotes schools readiness and closes the achievement gap in elementary school and beyond, noted Assemblyman Ramos.