Pyramids Can Expect Rate Revisions

Pyramids Administration met with NYSED representatives Thursday June 5th to learn that Pyramids will be able to re-submit for insufficient funding for preschool special education services. This news will allow Pyramids to move forward with a restructuring of the debt. This is very good news to the families served by Pyramids and the employees who value and appreciate their employment.

These revisions come at a cost. It is the regional counties served by Pyramids that are mandated to absorb these costs. Therefore, some of the questions that are worth addressing with today's blog are as follows:

How has debt been created in the amount of 800,000 over 4 years?
Each year, since 2004, in order to cover all the costs of operating the mandated preschool special education programs, Pyramids required an additional 7% of revenue annually to stay in the black.

Why are these programs so expensive?
A preschool special education classroom ranges in cost between 150,000 to 250,000 per year in actual cost depending on the nature of the needs of the children serviced by that classroom. The more therapies necessary the more the cost of the classroom. No surprise to anyone the increased cost of health insurance and employee benefits and general operating expenses also increases the cost. But another very important point worth mentioning is the reduction of revenues to share overhead costs.

As any good business person knows, shared overhead costs for a facility, materials, equipment, and administration costs, spread out over more programs, reduces the cost to anyone program. This is a significant point to be made in Clinton County and one that deserves to be understood by the voting community.

When the facility, Pyramids in Morrisonville was opened, 2002, the business plan was a good one. Under one facility, marry child care with preschool special education programming, and allow other programs, such as early intervention revenues and preschool home service revenues, share the cost of overhead and administration costs.

What happened then?
In 2004, the local legislators, voted to create two new agencies in Clinton County doing the same work for early intervention and home preschool services using employees at the time currently working for Pyramids and with clients currently serviced by Pyramids. Since 2004, the revenues for these other programs, to help off-set overhead and administration costs, has been reduced by 70%. Essentially transferred to start up agencies to do the same kind of work.

Who then needs to take responsibility for the deficit created to operate the mandated preschool special education preschool programs?
No one person but rather a collective group. A group of legislators whom voted to collectively dismantle programs to Pyramids that were acting to off-set overhead costs, to keep the costs of operating the mandated preschool special programs from running a deficit or at the very least a deficit that would not result in a forced Chapter 11.

Why did they do this?
Depending on who you speak to, legislators, county officials, the county attorney, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, you will hear a different answer. Yet, collectively there has been one single mission since 2004, to distort the truth. What tactics and measures have the responsible parties willingly engaged in to distort the truth? Although nothing surprises me any longer, it may help the reader to explain why I relocated my family. Regardless of the reason, the vote, .. an unprecendedted phone vote .. by the legislators in 2004, to dismantle revenues, has the fiscal result of higher regional costs to educate the preschool child with a disability.

In closing, this is a good day for the Pyramids team. There is relief and a sense that all the work to bring parents and employees together to unite with a single voice stating emphatically they want their school to survive, their programs to remain in tact, has paid off.

There is more work to be done. Private donations will continue to be a focus to finish the debt entirely. Our fiscal reports for 06-07 are being completed with the help of our Albany based consultant and finally, the state audit report, with all its flaws and misrepresentations is being formally disputed.

A very big thank you to the readers of this blog who continue to show their support and the increasing amount of individuals who desire to be informed and not mislead by a selected few.

To receive a copy of FAQ's please email drrecore@pyramidspreschool.org

All prospective donors, please call 518-562-3847 and ask to speak to Vivian Reiner, Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli, Karen Hachigian, Margi Carter or Valerie Bragg.

Melissa will be happy to discuss the issues concerning the audit. She may be contacted at mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org or 518-593-8945.

Parent Support

More Parent Quotes:

“ Since birth he has faced many “ life and death" experiences…..Pyramids has given him the support and tools ...to make incredible strides…devastating….to close the doors on such a fantastic school.” John and Debbie A., Lewis, NY

“ A year ago, my family and I were so scared that Quentin would not have the capabilities to adjust to life beyond the four corners of his bedroom…..with the help of Pyramids programs….Quentin has excelled beyond our beliefs…discontinuing …will be detrimental to my grandson” Deborah C., Plattsburgh, NY

“ has come a long way in a year….loosing Pyramids would be shameful….disappointing…..( he was)3 yrs(old) before speaking….at this point hasn’t stopped …since beginning Pyramids”
Shana B., Plattsburgh, NY



Tuesday, June 3rd, resulted in another successful support meeting attended by parents with preschool children who have been found to have special needs. Many children attended this meeting and were filmed by WPTZ Channel 5 news. The Press Republican sent a reporter to interview parents to understand what Pyramids means to them and it what it would mean if Pyramids is unable to continue full operations for the preschool child with a disability.


Another 54 support letters were collected.


As support letters are being collected they are being sent to state officials and regional stakeholders able to shed light on the expense of educating a preschool child with special needs and to see that these programs are sufficiently funded to meet with actual cost.

Pyramids operates a total of 7 preschool special education classrooms and like BOCES, operator of these programs prior to Pyramids with a reported loss of 1.7 million, Pyramids has experienced insufficient funding since 2004. In the past, Pyramids has used early intervention revenues, infant/toddler intervention program, to help off-set these losses. Currently Pyramids does much less with regards to early intervention services. That said, special education for the preschool child must stand alone with revenues to match the expense of each classroom. Depending on the nature of the needs of the children attending these federally mandated programs, year to year, these expenses will vary. With the assistance of an Albany based consultant, Pyramids has submitted revisions to reflect actual cost for the 05-06 school year. This in effect will adjust the 05-06 school year reimbursement rates and the past two school years ending a cycle of debt created out of insufficient rates. Pyramids is awaiting a response from the New York State Department of Education concerning the revisions submitted by an independent consultant.

Pyramids is also using parent support letters with our fundraising efforts that are well underway. As of today oever 70 packets have been sent out to individuals and foundations in the state of NY who have in the past shown a history of sponsoring and supporting programs for children. Revised rates with donations can end the pattern of creating debt to pay for insufficiently funded preschool special education services.


Prospective donors may contact our main office at 518-562-3847 and request to speak to Margi Carter, Vivian Reiner, Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli, Dawn Recore or Karen Hachigian.


To all those staying up with the blog, we will try to update at least twice a week and more often as information is learned about rates, donations and anything else we can share with our regional community supporting Pyramids Child Development Center.



A set of FAQ's developed as a result of the inaccurate press release 5/15/08 and the truth concerning a number of issues can be requested by contacting drrecore@pyramidspreschool.org.



Questions concerning the blog or any other matter may be addressed to mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org. Melissa may also be reached at 518-593-8945 (cell). Melissa is happy to answer any and all questions directed at efforts to make it appear Pyramids mismanaged the preschool special education funding.

Parent and Employee Support

It has been about ten days since this blog was first created. It's intention, to correct any and all misperceptions about Pyramids Child Development Center initiated by a select few with hidden agendas.

This entry will include excerpts from parent support letters. Excerpts from employee support letters will follow in the next blog entry. Employees and parents mutually share the same concerns, to keep all programs in full operation, without threats of closure caused by inaccurately reported information.

Support Letter Excerpts:

"Every night when we bring our 4 year to bed she says "I hope, I dream of my school school because I love it." We doubt we could find a state or county official who would be willing to look our 4 year old in the eyes and tell her why she may not be able to dream about her school anymore." Jennifer and Matthew W.

"Pyramids is unique in its mission to provide children with a holistic environment that nourishes their bodies, minds and senses ideally. The physical space, loving staff and food free from detrimental and artificial ingredients, offers children optimal circumstances for growth and development." Megan M-K

"This school and their program is amazing. It has helped many children that are autistic actually be able to communicate and feel! It has helped children without words speak! It has helped children without a voice, gain a voice." Josee P.

"I can not say enough about the team of professionals at the Elizabethtown center. Words that come to mind include: welcoming, sensitive, consistent, nurturing, approachable, creative and energetic." Tom and Julie B.

"Our son received speech therapy, special education, and occupational therapy services from Pyramids between the ages of 2 to 4 years. The quality of services was unmatched and the progress he made was exceptional. I truly believe those early years of high quality services, as well as prayer, helped him to be what he is today, that being a typical fifth grader with no special education services" Kristen F.

"Thanks to Pyramids, my daughters are exposed to the virtues of eating healthy locally-organic-grown foods. I am also very impressed with the environmentally friendly approach to hygiene and cleaning practiced by Pyramids." Tina C-S,

To request a copy of our support letters, both from parents and employees (about 70 at present), or to tour our programs or facility, please contact khachigian@pyramidspreschool.org vbragger@pyramidspreschool.org
or vreiner@pyramisdpreschool.org.

To inquire about making a tax deductible charitable donation please contact mcarter@pyramidspreschool.org or mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org.

To request for FAQ's concerning the May 15th, 2008 press release, please contact drecore@pyramidspreschool.org.


Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli or Margi Carter may also be reached at 518-562-3847 to request for the specific financial needs at present.

Enjoy the Photos Of Our Caring Staff

Little time to write today.

Word continues to spread of the blog and our mission to raise private funds to decrease three years of debt. State tuition adjustments for children with handicapping conditions are pending.

Today's pics are pictures of children receiving therapy services.

All prospective donors, to help save our special school, please contact mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org or vreiner@pyramidspreschool.org

FAQ's may be requested by emailing mdefelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org or ffelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org

Pyramids Child Development Center is a 501-c3 Charitable Organization.

What Makes Pyramids Child Development Center Special

What makes Pyramids Child Development Center special? As with any organization, it is the caring and dedicated staff that show up each day with enthusiasm and creativity to serve the young child with special needs and to care for the children in our child care programs. The children, of course, make everything special for everyone just by being children. The facility is as unique as it is impressive. Moreover, the families we serve are supporters and believers in the work we do and the philosophies we uphold. One might imagine after four years of unpredictable attacks, directed at me, that the organization would crumble, piece by piece. Yet, surprisingly, this has not happened. For every attack, subtle, or blatant, there is a bubble of panic, a public reaction, and then, a slow return to normal. What, then, is normal? Normal is a day when teachers, therapists, assistants, aides, child care providers, help a three year old autistic child speak their first word for the first time, assist a physically handicap child with their first step or first crawl or a reassure a first time mother that her infant, will be loved and cared for each day while she attends to her work.

Since the creation of this blog, the response has been overwhelming support along with suggestions to keep the focus on the school and our mission to raise monies to pay off past debts created by an archaic state funding formula. It is also to ensure continuation of all programs, on and off site, for a region that needs to see PCDC survive. Therefore this will remain the focus as I continue to share stories and photos of the children in action alongside our dedicated staff.

Some have asked, is the blog going to be the most effective method to raise monies? In response I reply, it is one way. Other avenues, all avenues, are underway and being pursued. This includes working with SED, despite the Comptroller's erroneous report, writing letters to prospective donors and garnering support from those who believe in providing the young child with programming that is exceptional. For those who have not seen our facility, to experience what PCDC is all about, please consider arranging for a visit. You will be greeted by a welcoming and proud staff who would love to show you what we are all about.

To conclude today's entry, as advised, I need to be succinct. Therefore, I am preparing a set of FAQ's, to address in more detail the questions that have been generated around the funding gap since 2004, the attacks and the why a First Amendment law suit was initiated and necessary. Please email me if you desire a copy of the FAQ's.

In closing, continue to share this blog address http://pyramidscdc.blogspot.com/ to everyone you know residing in the state of NY. There is much to be gained both in soliciting funds and sharing the truth.

Please contact Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli, at her email address below, to make a one time tax deductible charitable donation, and/or to provide suggestions for improvement to this blog.

mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org

Pyramids Child Development Center

2155 Rt. 22 B

Morrisonville, NY 12962

518-562-2847

Photos and IRS W2 forms - www.pyramidscdc.org

Today, my third day of maintaining this blog, we are getting ready to post photos of Pyramids Child Development Center. Beautiful photos of the school and the children we serve participating in quality programming.

Watch for photos and copies of my W2 forms.

I will be scanning my personal W'2 for the wages earned from Pyramids Preschool, Inc (Pyramids Child Development Center) for 05,06,07. Let the citizens of the North Country see the deliberate lies released by the press and the state audit. The press was given copies of these W2's before releasing the article, date May 15, 2008. Let the community decide for itself. Wasting tax payer money is simply untrue.

Three Consecutive Years of W2 Wages listed below for Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli, Excutive Director of Pyramids Child Development Center, 501-c3.

05 $68,649.13
06 $45,632.40
07 $54,481.48

Please email mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org if you would like copies of the W2's for my wages for Pyramids. I am unable to save them to the blog pages but would be happy to forward these to all my readers.

History of Pyramids Child Development Center

As Executive Director, and founder of Pyramids Child Development Center, it is my intention to maintain this blog, my first blog experience, to solicit donations for a special early childhood school in Morrisonville, New York.


Since 04-05, the school has experienced funding gaps in the amount of about 250000 per year due to a cost reporting error made on our state report in 04-05 by by a consulting CPA firm. That said, now with debt of 800000, we were forced to file Chapter 11 this past November. This is now further complicated by a recent state audit that combined my private company income with my salary for the school, 68000 and 45,000 as reported on my W2 for 05 and 06, respectively. We can anticipate PCDC will not realize reimbursement rates consistent to reflect program costs, particularly the costs for educating the child with handicapping conditions. These programs have historically been underfunded, and the regional organization that delivered these programs prior to PCDC, lost 1.7 million before deciding it was in their best interest to discontinue preschool special education services.

The organization first established in 1994 and the the school/facility (501-c3) opened in 2001 with a 1.25 million dollar state grant. The programming is exceptional, with a respected reputation and quoted by NYSED as exemplary. The school serves children with autism and children with multiple physical and learning handicaps and is also a regional child care facility. Pyramids Child Development Center is as progressive as it is impressive with quality staff to serve the whole child through wholesome practices. For example, we maintain a green building with regards to cleaners, perfumes and solvents and provide an organic menu, partially grown on our own land. Our facility houses a dance room for free movement and yoga for children, a water room where children suit up to play in water and beautiful outdoor play spaces. We service a region of five counties with remote locations to service children on site and in their home. We maintain an annual budget of 3.2 million with 104 employees ranging from physical therapists, occupational therapists speech language pathologists, special education teachers, teacher aides, child-care providers, office and administrative personnel. The highest salary is 85000 and the lowest is 22000.

To inquire about our immediate funding needs please contact mcater@pyramidspreschool.org or mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org

To request for FAQ's concerning the recent negative press release contact drecore@pyramidspreschool.org

To request for copies of support letters please contact khachigian@pyramidspreschool.org.

Margi Carter and Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli can be reached at 518-562-3847.