To the Editor:
I am writing in response to your recent article on the Pine Plains Central School District and the Board of Education’s consideration of closing Cold Spring Early Learning Center. In my view, the board is moving toward a decision that could have long-lasting fiscal and academic consequences, and I believe it warrants further deliberation.
To be clear, I am not opposed to right-sizing or school closures in principle. I recognize that difficult decisions may be necessary as enrollment, costs, and long-term planning evolve. What concerns me is the possibility that this particular decision is being made too quickly, without a fully developed, transparent plan that accounts for future impacts and incorporates broader community input.
I come to this issue as a parent of a 4-year-old who will begin attending schools in the Pine Plains Central School District next year. After attending a “Future Ready Forum” and two Board of Education meetings, I felt compelled to learn more about the district’s approach to right-sizing. I reviewed reporting on similar efforts in other districts and examined past Board of Education meetings, workshops, and presentations dating back to 2024 in order to better understand the context of the current proposal.
Based on this research, I believe that right-sizing may ultimately be necessary and that one or more school closures could occur in the coming years. However, I do not support the proposed closure of Cold Spring Early Learning Center for the 2026–27 academic year. My concern is not with the concept of closure itself, but with the absence of a clear, long-term strategy that explains how this decision fits into the future health of the district.
I believe taxpayers, families, and students deserve a thoughtful and transparent plan that weighs educational outcomes, financial sustainability, and community impact. For that reason, I am asking the Board of Education to pause this decision and devote additional time to developing such a plan, rather than moving forward before those questions are fully addressed.
I encourage readers to review the petition I have circulated online, which outlines my reasoning and references publicly available data related to the proposed closure. If you agree, I invite you to consider signing the petition and attending the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 20 to share your perspective. If you disagree, I likewise encourage you to attend the meeting and make your voice heard.
Brooke Brown
Clinton Corners, N.Y.
Want to submit a letter to the editor? Email it to editor@newpineplainsherald.org
Fully agree with you Brooke. This is important not just for the betterment of our current and future students but also for our taxpayer base who need to know precisely what they are funding.
Thank you for your letter and your excellent graphic – I’ve shared it on social media!