At the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Board of Education meeting on Monday, the group heard a presentation from McKinley Bailey, Executive Director of Building Families. His organization works to ensure the health, safety, well-being and education of children, mainly before they enter the K-12 school system. He has been working with Kids Korner Daycare as they work to move out of the elem. building. Bailey was addressing a plan that the district has been considering involving providing all-day care for 3 and 4 year olds that includes preschool at an early childhood education center. The center was one of several different facilities that the district is considering building in the future.
Bailey presented data showing that taking 3,4 and pre-K 5-year-olds out of the daycares in the county would be detrimental to the rest of the childcare market. He explained that 3 and 4 year-olds are the group that generates profits for daycares, both in-home and centers like Kids Korner. 2 year olds and under cost more to care for because they require more adults for smaller groups. He said a center like Kids Korner will not be able to operate just caring for the younger children. In short, he cautioned about segmenting the childcare market. If that happens, “there will be serious implications for the ability to provide childcare for young children,” Bailey said. The board asked some questions and for clarifications, but made no decisions during the meeting.
During the superintendent’s report, Joe Nelson noted that at the next meeting they will be getting presentations for engineers and planners about the proposed elementary/middle school gym and new baseball/softball facilities. He also talked about his work toward forming a partnership with the Kosovo consulate that would allow students to travel there. He and others will be visiting with consulate officials about it this week and will report back next meeting.
The board approved a district revenue purpose statement. Though the current one does not expire until 2031, the district needs to have a new one in place to proceed with facility plans whose payments would extend past that year. The group voted not to extend a federal COVID leave policy for staff and will instead broaden the district’s sick leave program. They also talked more about the Iowa Central Career Academy and how to make use of the spots the district pays for.
The next meeting will be Monday, February 8 at 6 p.m.
