Shawnee Mission leaders propose new early childhood center at Catherine Carpenter site using remaining bond funds

Shawnee Mission Public Schools staff proposed creating a new centralized early childhood education center at the district's decommissioned Catherine Carpenter site, presenting the idea to the Finance and Facilities Committee on April 14.

The district's presentation said the center would be intentionally designed for early learners and would offer a continuum of classroom models (general, unified, integrated and specialized), wraparound care options with partners such as JCPRD and Y Care, screening and training spaces, and potential transportation between school-based pre-K sites and the centralized hub.

The proposal emerged as part of the district's strategic plan work (strategy 1.3.1) and an action team that began meeting in November to study marketing, facilities, equity and partnerships. Committee members were given a first look before full-board consideration. "This is something brand new that you guys haven't heard from us on," the presenting staff member said during the meeting.

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