Mount Vernon mayor Tom Wieseler was asking if there might be potential to collaborate on a child care center in Mount Vernon with the Mount Vernon Schools system.
Wieseler explained that former superintendent Greg Batenhorst’s letter last March that outlined the enrollment at area schools being flat to stagnant was what spurred a discussion between Wieseler and city administrator Chris Nosbisch in looking at a child care center being built in the community.
“When we determined that no pool was to be built at the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, we started looking at the possibility of a childcare center at that location,” Wieseler said.
The city is currently working with OPN Architects to come up with a design of a potential expansion, with roughly five classrooms for childcare being on the first floor, and additional rooms on the second floor being utilized by LBC.
Wieseler said that five classrooms would allow for up to 100 students, depending on age of students served at the childcare center. There have also been discussions with local churches about hosting childcare solutions that would cater to infants and newborns.
“Those conversations have remained positive, so I’m hoping that will help,” Wieseler said.
Wieseler said the waiting lists for childcare in the area are more than 100 at the moment, and building a center is only one step of the solution needed. The other would be staffing a center of that nature.
There have been zero negative comments as the city has looked into this. Wieseler did say the ideal solution would be a third-party building a center, but with that not happening, the city sees this as an important need.
School board president Rick Elliott said the school board has had discussions on this very issue, but are not in a way to build a childcare center financially themselves.
“We know our communities are referred to as a childcare desert and we need new families in our community, but we won’t see that without more daycare options,” Elliott said. “I think this is something that enhances not only our school, but also our community. “
Superintendent Matt Leeman said that the city would most likely be utilizing the $2 million in tax increment funding they had proposed to the school for a future childcare building if they built the building on their own.
Wieseler said this is a project that could be a short term fix for the community before another fourth building is able to be constructed for the school system in coming years, and the expansion to LBC is items they could repurpose after as well. The city is looking at a number of grant possibilities, and potential fundraising between private and public entities to make a reality.
Board member Lance Schoff said he is in favor of pursuing what a joint venture between these entities might entail.
“I would prefer the childcare solution would be tackled in the private sector, but that hasn’t proven to be a reality,” Schoff said. “My worry is what if we build a great facility, but we struggle to staff it properly?”
Leeman said that this partnership would help the school by allowing them to have a daycare in the community while they are not fiscally able to build a dedicated new building.
“Getting a childcare center in close proximity to all of our buildings would be a huge win for us,” Leeman said. “The city may keep that $2 million to invest in this project, but if the state passing 4-year-old funded preschool passes, this could be the space that allows us to offer that and work with the city on staffing with a properly accredited educator.”
Board member Suzette Kragenbrink said she thinks the city is on the right track with this building they are researching.
“The childcare committee has studied this issue and determined we don’t have enough childcare spaces in the community at this point,” Kragenbrink said. “The fact the city is looking to do this construction is huge.”
Board member Tim Keegan said that partnering on this project will give the school options moving forward.
The city will have a cost estimate from OPN Architects on square footage of the possible addition later this spring to see if this is economically viable. Wieseler said work is also beginning on addressing the housing options in Mount Vernon in the future as well, the second part of the issues plaguing Mount Vernon’s growth.