The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education is studying the feasibility of creating an early childhood center in the district.
At a meeting this past week, the board approved an agreement with United Federal Credit Union for an exclusive option to purchase its former headquarters at 2807 South State Street in St. Joseph in 2024.
The move comes out of the 2021 strategic planning effort, which identified early childhood education as a significant need for the district.
St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Jenny Fee says the purchase option provides the district a low-risk position through which to research and develop funding options for an early childhood center.
“A centralized early childhood center would create equitable access to much needed education for our youngest learners. A dedicated early childhood facility would also allow us to expand our before and after school programs, more adequately prepare children to start our kindergarten curriculum, and provide quality preschool and childcare for families.”
The district is now studying funding scenarios that could include a voter approved bond in 2024.
