New preschool center set to transform local education

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the transition of Earlywood Special Services back to individual school districts in Johnson County, marking a significant shift in local special education programming after 50 years of collaboration. The decision, made two years ago, has led to plans for repurposing the Earlywood property, currently situated on Franklin School's grounds, into a dedicated preschool center.

Dr. Clint Denning provided an overview of the situation, emphasizing the need for the community to retain control over the property to prevent it from being sold to private entities. The district has successfully acquired the remaining partners' interests in Earlywood and is now focused on developing a preschool center that will serve approximately 300 children, including a segment for developmental and delayed preschool programs.

Benjie Betts, who is leading the design efforts in collaboration with Schmidt Architects, highlighted the establishment of a committee that includes staff, administrators, and parents of preschool-aged children. This committee has been meeting bi-weekly to ensure the design meets community needs. The demolition of the existing building is set to begin soon, with hopes to start construction on the new preschool center by late March or early April of 2025.

The new facility will not only accommodate developmental preschool programs but also include a paid preschool section for children aged three to five, as well as a transitional kindergarten class aimed at supporting students who require an additional year before entering the primary school system. This initiative is seen as a vital intervention to enhance early childhood education in the community.

Officials are also working on rezoning the property from industrial back to institutional to align with its new purpose. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the uniqueness of this initiative, with some members questioning whether this model of integrating various preschool programs under one roof has been implemented elsewhere in the state. While some larger school districts may have similar programs, the Franklin initiative appears to be a pioneering effort in consolidating preschool services.