The Paxton Trust presented an update to the Leesburg Town Council on Oct. 27 on efforts to reconstitute operations at the Paxton campus, a nine‑building property that trustees say could host a mix of schools, daycare and ancillary child‑serving programs.

Trust representative Peter Burnett told the council the campus contains about 45,000 square feet across nine buildings, including the Carlheim Mansion, which he estimated at about 17,000 square feet. He said the campus buildings were originally configured for daycare and related uses and that several cottages already include accessible bathrooms and kitchenettes that make them “exceedingly practical” for child‑focused tenants.

The trust’s stated immediate goals are to maximize use of existing infrastructure and to assemble a mix of tenants whose services “are complementary so the sum of the programs is greater than the parts,” Burnett said. He noted the trust is assessing opportunities with preschool, Head Start and early intervention programs and is exploring subsidized child care with county partners and employers to reduce costs for families.

Burnett said the trust is constrained by an existing special‑exception zoning condition that it read as permitting up to 75 regular students and up to 140 daycare children; he and trustees said they will focus on tenants that meet that special exception but may seek an amendment if a proposed use does not fit the current language.

On the Carlheim Mansion, Burnett said a 2010 historic‑preservation study estimated full historic restoration at $8 million–$10 million. He told the council the trustees do not see that level of restoration as realistic for initial reuse; instead they are studying more limited work—upgraded mechanical systems, wiring and plumbing, painting and selective repairs—that could return the building to usable condition at substantially lower cost. Burnett said trustees will evaluate whether a partial restoration could meet the original intent of preserving the building while allowing active campus uses.

Trustees present for the presentation included Mindy Hartman, Paige Yacema and Mary Lou Liepheimer. Council members pressed for timing and asked whether the campus is currently vacant; Burnett said many of the non‑mansion buildings are available now and that the trust is talking with prospective tenants, though lease terms at existing providers can complicate immediate moves.

On finances, Burnett said the trust previously received a tax benefit but that the tax‑exempt status was removed the day after the last tenant departed; he said the trust intends to pursue tax‑exempt uses when tenants return and asked the town to consider assistance if needed.

Councilmembers asked specifically about whether children have been denied access to medication when a tenant left the premises; Burnett rejected the characterization and said prospective tenants are aware of the “true facts” and have not raised similar concerns in his outreach.

The Paxton Trust asked the council and public to share suggestions for potential tenants. Burnett and the trustees said they will continue outreach and report back as proposals firm up.

Burnett and trustees did not present a specific timetable for full reuse of Carlheim Mansion; Burnett said filling the other campus buildings is the immediate priority and estimated mansion work could be done “sooner than several years” if financing and tenant demand align but called any multi‑year timeline ambitious.