For funds to support planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional school districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children who will be eligible for kindergarten within two school years, utilizing the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model; provided, that preference shall be given to districts serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that additional preference shall be given to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support expanding access to high-quality preschool; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation
