The meeting began with a presentation on a community needs assessment conducted by Darren from School Perceptions. This assessment focused on the district’s child care needs, drawing on responses from a survey distributed to approximately 340 residents. The survey had a 21.4% response rate, which Darren highlighted as above the average for such surveys.

Key findings from the survey revealed that while 89% of respondents with children under five currently have child care arrangements, 73% supported the district exploring additional child care services. This sentiment was particularly strong among parents, with 77% backing the idea of the district pursuing child care options. When considering program structures, 64% expressed interest in enrolling their children in a school readiness program with instructional elements. Furthermore, 76% preferred a half-day schedule running Monday through Friday. The survey also showed that 53% of respondents were open to expanding services for children under 33 months.

Following this presentation, the board discussed the next steps in planning and potentially implementing these programs. The discussion recognized the community’s desire for expanded child care services, emphasizing that any proposed changes should not detract from existing offerings. Board members considered a phased approach to avoid overextending district resources, stressing the importance of developing a structured plan before any implementation.

The planning phase was underscored by a need for clarity, with board members suggesting that the focus should be on exploring possibilities rather than immediate execution. A structured plan was expected to be ready by the end of February, ahead of registration. This plan would likely include options such as maintaining the current preschool model, introducing limited bomber care, or adopting a more integrated approach that requires adjustments to the preschool program.

Concerns were raised about staffing and space allocation, recognizing potential challenges if the program expanded to include younger children. One board member questioned whether additional staff would be necessary and sought assurances that existing personnel would not be overburdened. The board also discussed the need to avoid undercutting services provided by neighboring districts and local care centers, advocating for collaboration and the incorporation of insights from these entities.

The timeline for introducing new programs was debated, with some board members advocating for thorough planning and community feedback before moving forward. It was suggested that delaying implementation until the following year could be beneficial.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the consideration of moving forward with planning the school readiness and bomber care programs. The board expressed gratitude to the community education representatives for their efforts in addressing the district’s enrollment challenges. The importance of executing the plan correctly was stressed, particularly since the district has one opportunity to make a favorable first impression.