County OKs Early Learning Center

By Holly Crocco

The Putnam County Legislature has unanimously approved an initiative to develop an early learning center and enter into a lease agreement to rent and build out space in Patterson to run a school for children in Brewster and Carmel schools that are part of the county’s Committee on Preschool Education and universal pre-kindergarten program.

Currently, the county does not have its own program, and children with varied needs are having to endure long bus rides to locations in Dutchess and Westchester counties to receive services – at a cost to the county.

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne’s administration proposed a lease with Community Based Services in which space at Hudson Valley InterArts, 40 Jon Barrett Road, will be built out to accommodate up to 100 students.

“The early learning center will cut commuting times for children, save taxpayers money on a mandatory educational service, and provide well-deserved peace of mind to parents of special-needs students,” Byrne said after the lease was approved.

“While more work remains before we can fully implement this program, today’s action marks a critical step to ensure we’re on track to open in time for the upcoming fall semester. This administration asked the County Legislature to ‘think differently,’ and they responded with their unanimous support.”

Under the five-year lease, the county will pay $15 per square foot per month, which at more than 12,000 square feet totals just over $15,000. However, when you add in the build-out cost, which is $2.2 million when you include 7.5 percent interest (the county is responsible for 65 percent), there’s an added $23.78 per square foot.

That means the total cost to the county is $38.78 per square foot, per month.

During the county’s June 10 Physical Services Committee meeting, which preceded the special legislative meeting where the matter was approved, Valerie Kurtz, supervisor of early intervention and pre-kindergarten at the health department, explained that the county currently pays about $50,000 per child who is sent outside the county to receive CPSE services.

With the county having its own program, that cost goes down to about $22,000 per child, she said.

The school districts pay for universal prekindergarten.

“It’s actually a savings,” added Bill Orr, senior fiscal manager of the county’s health department, referring to the county having its own early learning center.

Legislator Erin Crowley, R-Mahopac, said the overall savings could be huge.

“If we go with the full 10 years, it’s going to save us $1 million, essentially,” she said. “So right there alone shows the potential. That could grow if we choose to stay longer, and depending on the state, it could go different ways – we could have other places that open up and accommodate more. This is a flagship, so to speak.”

Kurtz explained that the program will begin with a “contingency” lease, in which about 15 kids in CPSE and 20 in UPK will be served in a smaller space at the property that can be utilized while the built-out happens.

“So then none of them will be waiting,” she said.

The 3,000-square-foot contingency space can accommodate up to 40 students until the 12,000-square-foot space is available to serve all 100. She said the goal is to be able to serve 40 children in CPSE, with the rest in UPK.

Despite having questions about the lease agreement, Legislator Greg Ellner, R-Carmel, said he’s happy to see the initiative moving forward.

“I want this to happen, plain and simple,” he said. “I want to get to the right place so it’s going to be the best possible.”

Legislator Nancy Montgomery, D-Philipstown, pointed out that the county entered a lease agreement in 2018 to operate a senior center in Cold Spring, at a cost of $22 per square foot, which is much more than the $15 per square foot (before build-out costs) for the early learning center.

“It seems our focus here is on the dollar and… I do respect our attention to fiscal responsibility, but like the senior center in Cold Spring this is another example of a desperate need for a service in Putnam County,” she said. “We’re investing in children, not in brick and mortar… The 3- and 4-year-olds stuck on long bus rides – that’s the ‘cost’ I see. That’s the ‘cost’ I’m concerned about, not so much the cost to the county when we do have a lot of money to spend here and we have a wonderful opportunity.”

After going into executive session, the lawmakers approved the lease agreement.

“This is a great partnership that we’re about to enter into,” said Legislator Paul Jonke, R-Brewster, who has been critical of the plan and the proposed lease. “I hope we can have another facility at some point on the other side of the county.”

During a prior meeting, parents spoke in favor of the initiative.  

Marie Camacho, president and founder of the Carmel Central School District’s Special Education PTO, called on legislators to take swift action to support the project.

“This is a victory for the children and families of Putnam County,” she said. “While we still have work to do, this decision shows that our voices are being heard. We must stay united and continue advocating until this project becomes a reality… This proposal has generated real hope in our community. The InterArts building offers a warm, inclusive, and creative environment – exactly the kind of place where we want our youngest learners to begin their educational journey.”

Camacho said the district has faced persistent challenges in providing appropriate, consistent services for preschool-aged children.

“Time and again, families have found themselves with no viable options – either because local services weren’t available, programs were full, or the only placements offered were far outside our county,” she said. “This center is more than a facility. It’s a statement – that Putnam County believes in investing in its children, in supporting families, and in building smart, sustainable systems for the future.”