Voter OK of Facilities Plan Would Create All-District Preschool

Much of the focus of the upcoming June 25 bond referendum has centered around the construction of a new 10-12 high school. But at the other end of the spectrum, some of Johnston’s littlest learners have much to gain with the district-wide facilities plan.

The board-approved facilities plan outlines renovations to the existing Johnston Middle School to make it the new Wallace Elementary (K-5) and an all-district preschool/early childhood education center. This project fits with other plans to help relieve district overcrowding problems.

Constructing a district-wide preschool is a step up from the current preschool layout, said Bruce Amendt, Executive
Director of Academic Services.

As part of the proposed facilities plan, an all-district preschool would be created in the new Wallace Elementary building (existing Johnston Middle School). The Johnston preschools are split among four elementary schools – Beaver Creek, Lawson, Timber Ridge, and Wallace. Because some of these buildings are near capacity, two of the four preschools are held in a portable classroom or annex building.

“Not only do these portables lack security, they also lack space for these kids,” Amendt said.

With this lack of space comes a lack of engagement; preschoolers need a play-based environment where they can explore and interact, said Jennifer Van Ryswyk, Administrator for Iowa State’s Child Development Laboratory School. “The portables aren’t designed for quality education for any age, but for preschoolers it definitely doesn’t offer the learning environment they need,” Van Ryswyk said.

“The portable classrooms and annex buildings are not large enough to accommodate the needs of the children. Preschoolers aren’t as simple as a few desks and books, they need space for free play.”

The portable classrooms and annex buildings offer less interaction with older students.“We want these kids to have a sense of pride in the school and feel engaged … when they have to walk into a completely different building to go to the office or visit the nurse, it’s hard for that to happen,” Amendt said.

The proposed renovation plan that would create the new Wallace Elementary and the all-district preschool gives young learners the environment they need in order to thrive.“Just being able to make everything accessible and giving the kids space for exploration gives the kids a great learning environment,” Van Ryswyk said.

This new space really gives [JCSD] the ability to create a very well-defined program for preschoolers.”

The new space would allow for the pooling of the four schools’ resources as well, which would offer the young children more toys, interactive programs, and playground equipment.This renovation will also go beyond helping the preschools, Amendt said. A unified preschool also creates better collaboration amongst educators.

“An all-district early education center brings educators and teaching practices together,” Amendt said. “It ensures that our youngest students are given the same opportunities heading into kindergarten. We feel this plan helps teachers and raises the quality of learning for students.”

As part of the construction, there would be a separate entrance area (from Wallace) for preschoolers and their families. This portion of this district’s facilities plan is estimated to cost $16 million and will be paid for through sales tax and PPEL dollars. Remodeling of the middle school into an elementary school and all-district preschool/early childhood education center is estimated to be completed by summer 2017.