NEW WINDSOR – McQuade children’s Services in New Windsor is closing down following a decision by the state Education Department that the school has been removed from the approved list to be reimbursed for providing special education to students with disabilities. The state cited health and safety concerns.

The McQuade board said it will immediately begin identifying appropriate education opportunities for the 53 children who currently receive educational services there.

“We do not agree with the New York State Education Department’s assessment that there are imminent health and safety issues at the McQuade School,” said James DeStefano, president of Occupations, Inc., which has been managing McQuade. “However, we will work with the State Education Department to achieve a viable transition plan for the children in this difficult economic climate.”

McQuade has experienced serious financial challenges over the last year and Occupations and the McQuade Board have explored several options to secure additional financial support. They attributed the failure to the “serious economic climate.”