Giant Step director urges town help as enrollment and funding fall

Kirsty Kilduff, director of Giant Step Preschool, addressed the council seeking immediate support for the center, which she said has seen enrollment drop from more than 50 children to roughly half that number over the past year and has lost a grant that historically covered property taxes and insurance. "This is why general operating support through any grant money or donations is essential to keeping our center running and accessible to the community," Kilduff said.

Kilduff outlined cost pressures: insurance that doubled this year, rising payroll and food costs, and staffing challenges that required running a bare-bones schedule while maintaining state ratios. She said the center implemented a 20% tuition increase in August and has pursued county and private grants and community fundraisers. Kilduff asked the council for a $3,000 donation from the town's fund for public giving to help bridge near-term gaps, noting prior donations from community members and the hospital board fund. Councilors pressed her on sustainability and alternative fundraising; one councilor said it is "a tough deal" to use taxpayer dollars to supplement an independent nonprofit operation. Rather than vote on a donation, the council moved to table the request and ask town staff to investigate county grant sources and the preschool's property-tax-exemption paperwork. The item will remain on a future agenda for further consideration.