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Putnam County officials continue talks on Early Learning Center; no final approval
Summary
County Executive Valerie Curtis and Health Department leaders sought legislative backing for a Putnam County Early Learning Center to serve preschool and early intervention children, but the legislature deferred final approval and scheduled further review after executive-session negotiations.
County Executive Valerie Curtis asked the Putnam County Audit and Administration Committee on May 22 to approve a resolution enabling the county to pursue a state-funded Putnam County Early Learning Center, a "Think Differently" initiative intended to provide early intervention and prekindergarten services closer to home.
The request matters because committee members were told the county’s state application process includes a countdown that requires a site to be identified by mid-June; without that step, officials said the application could be disqualified and the county could miss the funding window. "I remain optimistic that we can all get there together because the sentiment to create an innovative approach to provide the necessary services required by some of our most vulnerable kids and their families close to home has remained consistent," County Executive Valerie Curtis said.
The proposal would place an early learning center in the Community-Based Services InterArts building in Patterson and partner with school districts and service agencies to serve children with and without disabilities. Rhianne Vavigas, Public Health Director, and Melanie Kurtz, supervisor of the Early Intervention (EI) program, briefed legislators on service delivery and program operations and answered questions about capacity and eligibility.
Legislators raised process and timeline concerns. Legislator Elmer and Legislator Yockey said they needed more time to review documents and verify the June 15 deadline that county staff cited. "I don't think it's fair for us to try to digest in just a couple of hours," Legislator Elmer said, requesting clearer documentary evidence of the state deadline. Officials said the deadline appears in the state application portal and offered to provide supporting screenshots or other evidence but noted some application items are entered live on the state website.
Committee members publicly debated whether to approve an "in concept" resolution now (which would identify the interim site and allow the application to proceed) while continuing due diligence on the long-term lease and build-out. Supporters cited both service need and potential cost savings: county staff estimated a short-term pilot and, if successful, an ongoing program could reduce transportation and out-of-county placement costs and generate recurring net savings compared with current spending. "We have the funds," said Legislator Montgomery during discussion, urging action to avoid delaying services to children.
The committee moved into executive session to discuss negotiation parameters. After the closed meeting, the committee did not approve the final lease or build-out resolution that evening; members said they will schedule a special Physical Services committee meeting and a subsequent full-legislature session to resolve outstanding questions and, if agreed, pass the necessary resolutions before the state deadline. No formal approvals were adopted in the open session on May 22.
County officials and parent advocates asked the legislature to act swiftly. Marie Camacho, president of the Putnam County Special Education PTA organization, told the meeting the proposal was the result of months of planning and that families were counting on a timely vote. Committee leadership said they intend to post the next meeting publicly and invited further questions in the interim.
