Special Services for Pre-School Children Soars

The cost of educating pre-school children in Putnam County in need of special services is skyrocketing.

Members of the Putnam Legislature’s Audit Committee discussed the situation at its meeting last week and while the dollar amount continues to climb, the lawmakers realize that the county’s hands are tied when it comes to educating special education youngsters.

Legislature Chairman Vincent Tamagna summed it up best: “Pre-school education is cost-prohibitive. While children are in need, a more economical way must be found to administer the program.”

Putnam Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler said currently 350 boys and girls are receiving pre-school education services countywide. These include speech and language therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, and assistance for autistic children. Dr. Amler said the number was expected to increase in the weeks and months to come now that the new school year is underway.

Commissioner of Finance William Carlin met with the COURIER last week to discuss the issue of pre-school education.

Carlin said by state statute, counties must pay the bills for children deemed by a Committee on Special Education to be in need of the special services.

The pre-school population is divided into two categories: ages 0-2 and ages 3-5.

Carlin said the cost to Putnam taxpayers for both center-based and home-based services exceeds $10 million: “The total expenditures in 2010 for the 0-2 population is $2.25 million and the 3-5 age group is costing taxpayers $8 million this year, half of which is paid for by the state. It’s an expensive program. The issue that the administration has always had is that such a program should not be borne by property tax payers—not that the services shouldn’t be provided—but a fairer way of paying for the services must be reached, since the county currently has little or no discretionary control.”

Once the child becomes 5 years old, cases are turned over to local school districts, which are also struggling with the high costs of special education each year.