The Parkway School District has scrapped its plans to build a new early childhood center in Manchester. This was done because people were worried about more traffic and less green space. The president of the Parkway Board of Education, Jeff Todd, said in a board meeting, “Our community has been clear: high-quality early childhood education is a priority, and it’s one that the Board of Education fully shares.” This was reported by 5 On Your Side. But because of these worries, plans to build the $26 million building have been put on hold.
Even though the district really wants to do something about the growing waitlists for early child care, which now number in the hundreds every year, resistance from the community has made leaders rethink other possible solutions. It was planned that the building would have more than a dozen classrooms, a community garden, a nature walk, and outdoor classrooms.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the neighbors were worried about the extra traffic on their residential street and the loss of a much-loved green area.
The Parkway School District is still committed to educating kids from birth to age 5. Director of Schools Dr. Keith Marty said, “Early childhood education gives our students an important foundation, and it remains a top priority.” According to 5 On Your Side, the district is looking into other options, such as a South Area Early Childhood Workgroup, for short-term fixes. They are also including early childhood education in their “Facilities 2050” long-term facilities plan.
Many people in the area were worried, and one of them told First Alert 4, “We already have a lot of traffic with the middle school, especially a dead end down there, and the elementary school.” The district knew about these worries and decided not to go ahead with the building on the Wren Avenue site. Instead, they say they will save the money set aside from Proposition S, which voters passed in November 2022, for future projects that help young children.
In an interview with First Alert 4, Deanna Finch, Executive Director of United 4 Children, stressed the value of early childhood settings for families who need help right away: “Children who go to a high-quality early childhood setting are reading at higher levels.” They’re better at dealing with people and feelings. She also talked about tools that parents in Missouri can use, such as a call center run by United 4 Children that helps parents find good child care. Families who need help can call 1-866-583-2392 or use the United 4 Children website to chat live with community support experts.
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