By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Size cuts, budget cuts, and an overall lack of progress. Monday night, the USD 431 Board of Education discussed its relationship with Advancing Barton County Childcare (ABCC) regarding a new daycare facility in Hoisington. Among other factors, Board President Becky Mooney said a lack of control over the daycare, if it's built, could be a cause for concern.
"I don't want people to think we are squashing the daycare," she said. "It is very much a need. We know it's a need. We just need to figure out the best way for our community and our district to make this happen."
Last month, Superintendent Patrick Crowdis updated the board on potential funding cuts for the project. The board then balked at approaching the community to raise funds for the project. Crowdis heard from Great Bend Economic Development President Sara Arnberger via email before Monday's meeting.
"I know there's been some concern by the board that that might not be the direction you would want to go," Crowdis said Monday. "I would be fine going to her and saying maybe we as USD 431 need to reevaluate our role in daycare in Hoisington, at this point in time, in the partnership with ABCC, and see if maybe there's a different route that we as USD 431 have in daycare in Hoisington or how else we can support daycare in Hoisington."
Two board members expressed concerns about the project and Mooney agreed.
"We honestly will have no say in hiring, firing," said Mooney. "They literally are just going to be using our land, so I have some concerns about that as well because we will have no say in what happens with this daycare once they start. If we're going to involve our community and ask them for the help, I'd feel more comfortable if we are spearheading it ourselves, as a board."
Board Member Sara Tarlton asked Crowdis if the school district would be responsible for any of the work done on the daycare so far. Crowdis said there are responsibilities but several of the steps associated with the project were necessary anyway.
"We don't have a formal contract with them," Crowdis said. "That was never approved by ABCC. We presented it to them and it was never taken to them or signed off on. The expense did happen on our property in that idea of moving forward with that so there may be some financial responsibility we will take on."
Originally slated to hold up to 59 children. Crowdis confirmed in January's meeting that the project had been scaled back to a facility that would hold 38-45 kids. Also at last month's meeting, Crowdis informed the board that approximately $500,000 in grant money had been pulled back from the project due to legislative changes. Grant freezes at the federal level could also impact the project.
In June 2023, ABCC received $2.23 million in grant funds to go toward daycare facilities in Great Bend and Hoisington. ABCC also received $500,000 in grant funds from the Patterson Family Foundation in July 2022. Great Bend Eco Devo raised $435,000 for the project, and the Barton County Commission matched that $435,000.
The board again took no official action on Monday and plans to discuss any updates at its March meeting.