NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Haven USD 312 Superintendent Craig Idacavage said the Board of Education went through an extensive process before making the decisions that will result in changes in facilities use in the district.
"The enrollment at Yoder Charter School has been declining," Idacavage said. "We've got a group down there that's really fighting hard and looking at ways to grow that enrollment with their ag charter. Being mindful of that and then seeing the need for daycare and the growing of our Pre-K and the benefits we've seen within our district because of the Pre-K program and then looking at some daycare, childcare options and then also some supports at the Haven Grade School. Looking at all those things and all these things that our district needs, we kind of presented them through the process."
There was an initial discussion at a regular board meeting, then a public hearing where those concerned about potential changes could voice those concerns, and then the next regular board meeting where the different options were hashed out and final decisions were made.
"We're going to move our Pre-K over to Yoder," Idacavage said. "It will not be part of the Charter School. It will operate as its own entity. We will have a three year old Pre-K classroom a four year old classroom and then we will have an extended day classroom. That will allow daycare for 20 in the morning, 20 in the afternoon of those Pre-K kiddos who are in the district and we'll bus them in from there. We will move forward with some grants and looking at capital money to improve our current Pre-K building, to turn it into a infant and a toddler daycare. Then, we are adding an assistant principal and a counselor to Haven Grade to offset the needs there, as well."
To clarify, there will be more slots for half-day preschoolers than there are for those that can stay all day.
"In the three year old and four year old Pre-K classrooms, we can get 80 total," Idacavage said. "We're limited to 20 in that combo class or that extended day class each session, so we could take 40."
If you have questions, you can call the Haven USD 312 District Office at (620) 465-3445.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.