The Rockbridge Area YMCA is to take over Rockbridge County’s preschool on July 1.
The Board of Supervisors this past Wednesday, Jan. 28, agreed to transfer the program to the YMCA. The county has been funding and operating the preschool for nearly halfa- century.
Under the agreement, the county will continue to fund the program at its present level for the next two years – $162,293 in each of the next two fiscal year budgets. After that, the YMCA will assume responsibility for full funding.
The preschool will continue to hold classes at four locations around the county – in Goshen, Glasgow, Fairfield and Effinger. Classes are held two or three days a week, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
During last year’s budget work sessions, the Board of Supervisors initially eliminated funding for the preschool, then restored it in response to a public outcry. When they restored the funding, the supervisors indicated they wanted another entity to take over the program at some point in the future.
County Administrator Spencer Suter said officials with the county and YMCA have met several times to discuss the YMCA taking over the preschool. The two sides agreed to a two-year transition.
“What happens in year three?” asked Leslie Ayers. Suter responded that the YMCA would be prepared to take over funding then, pointing out that it has access to funding grants that the county doesn’t.
The YMCA is to retain the current county preschool staff, he said. “There’s a lot to be gained by [maintaining] the continuity.”
Chad Whitmer, executive director of the Rockbridge Area YMCA, said the YMCA “is happy to help” with keeping the county preschool open past this year.
The YMCA operates an Early Learning Center at Magnolia Square on U.S. 11, north of the East Lexington bridge. An average of 45 children attend the Early Learning Center, which operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
The YMCA also operates an after-school program at Waddell and Central elementary schools that averages about 70-75 students, Mondays through Fridays, 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Ten weeks of summer sessions for about 80 to 100 children are offered by the YMCA at Waddell and Central elementaries. Whitmer said it’s his hope that afterschool and summer programs can get started in Goshen in the future.
At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Jay Lewis made a motion to approve the transfer of the preschool to the YMCA. Bob Day seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
