By Janine Davis Record Staff Writer The Wright City R-II School District’s plans to build a dedicated preschool facility are moving forward as leaders work through the program’s conceptual needs that architects will soon commit to drawings. In January, the school board unanimously approved the building of a preschool, calling the project “urgent” in providing area children with the early social and emotional development and subject preparatory skills necessary to successfully navigate school. The structure will be located between the district’s central office and Open Hearts United Methodist Church on Bell Road, north of Interstate 70. The facility is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $900,000. Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines said he and others in a planning group have been touring other early childhood centers in the area and giving input from their visits to architects. “We’ve been going back and forth with ideas, and hope to lock in a conceptual plan soon,” said Gaines. “From there, the architects will begin drawing up potential plans.” The new building will house preschool, early childhood special education and Parents as Teachers programs. Gaines said he expects the school to be ready for classes in August 2015. “People seem to be very supportive of the idea,” Gaines said. “It’s still too early to offer many details about what the building is going to look like; there are a lot of questions we’re working through at this point.” He said leaders are “thinking in big spaces” at the moment, referencing the known components such as classrooms, office space, bathrooms and playground the school must include. “I tell people that for now, we’ve got a big rectangle on paper, and various pieces we’re moving around to see how best to configure the interior,” said Gaines. A town hall meeting to offer the community a look at plans and for discussion of the program likely will be in the fall, he said, following Strassenbash. “We’ll be talking at Strassenbash with young parents,” he said.Gaines said that the district is covering the upfront building costs, but that 80 percent of the costs will be recouped from the state. No tax levy increase will be necessary, he said. Gaines anticipates operating costs of about $90,000, which would be partially offset by tuition revenue. The Missouri School Boards Association cites numerous studies that demonstrate how essential early childhood education is in making the transition to elementary school and for long-term school success. A report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds that 63 percent of Missouri’s 3- and 4-year-olds in low-income families are not participating in preschool. Experts say that early investment in children’s education pays off in an academic boost and in learning to control emotions, along with saving in programs such as remedial reading and other Title I services. Research suggests that children who go through preschool are more likely to be successful throughout school and in their personal development.
Plans for progress for R-II early childhood facility
