Paul Kirby is reporting for the Daily Freeman legislation that would allow school districts in New York to impose mandatory kindergarten attendance is awaiting action by Gov, Andrew Cuomo. The bill was approved by the state Senate in March and the Assembly this month, according to the bill's sponsor, state Sen. James Skoufis. In support of the measure, Skoufis said earlier this year that children who attend kindergarten gain character-building skills. “When children are given a well-rounded kindergarten education, it fosters crucial social, emotional and cognitive development,” he said. Currently only eight districts in the state are permitted to mandate kindergarten attendance, including New York City, Syracuse, Rochester, Utica, Buffalo, Cohoes, Watervliet and Yonkers. Skoufis is serving his first term representing the 39th Senate District, which includes central and eastern Orange County, the northern tip of Rockland County, and the Ulster County towns of Plattekill and Marlborough. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.