|
Family Center to close in Rush City, programs moved to elementary school |
|
|
By MaryHelen Swanson
Thursday night, Feb. 21, the Rush City School Board voted to close the Family Center (located at Kingers Mall) and move the preschool and early childhood education programs to the elementary school.
Giving one last plea, Ilene Olson, originally involved in starting the district preschool program, said, “I don’t understand how you justify putting money into sports and sport facilities (parents do not pay for children to participate) and not into the basic education of children (where parents are already paying a big portion.”
Many parents and staff had pleaded to save the center at a special meeting Feb. 7.
But chairman Scott Tryon reminded everyone that the board has been talking about the situation for about five years. The board has asked staff to make changes and they have, he said. They have come to the end of a 15-year early childhood grant.
He said the board has done all it can to keep the center open. It’s time to put closure on it, he said, adding that a building site may be closing, but the district’s commitment to early childhood education remains.
“It may look different,” he said, adding “nothing ever looks the same forever.”
It has been noted in recent discussions that funding for early education is drying up. And area legislators don’t hold much hope for education funding to increase this year.
At that Feb. 7 meeting Superintendent Vern Koepp noted that the program will still be in deficit at the elementary school.
Board member Gwen Goretsas said the important thing is that the district protect the program and staff in bringing these services to the community.
Following the 5-1 vote to close the center, Supt. Koepp said it was difficult to close the doors on a quality place but, he said, on the flip side, “we think we can do something similar in a different location.”
The staff makes all the difference in the world, Koepp said, adding that if it’s going to work, it’s because of quality people.
He said he was confident the district can offer a high quality program at the elementary school.
He went on saying the preschool program is doable at the elementary because “we have the right people to do it.”
Other board members commented also. Carol Cook said it was a real struggle deciding to move the program. She said people should keep in mind that there may be certain ways the preschool program will benefit by being in the elementary, such as making use of the nurse or speech specialists.
Cook said while the district may be losing some things, hopefully it will gain others.
New to the board, member Stefanie Folkema said she also struggled with her decision, but said in the end there were too many factors why the move was good. She believes the caring staff can make it work where it needs to be.
A roll call vote was taken, all voted yea, with the exception of new board member Brian Anderson who did not explain his opposition.
It is expected that things will be ready for the preschool program to start at the elementary for the 2008-2009 school year.
There will need to be a certain amount of money spent in preparing the elementary school for the program.
 |
