Commissioners approve $30,000 grant to expand after-school care at Academia Early Learning Center

The Buchanan Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 25 to approve a $30,000 business development grant to Academia Early Learning Center to create an after‑school program serving kindergarten through fifth grade.

Alicia Preston, owner and director of Academia Early Learning Center, told commissioners the proposed program would operate out of the children’s wing at Dallas United Methodist Church and could serve up to 25 children. “We already have 28 kids on that wait list,” Preston said, describing demand gathered from a local survey of families in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence.

Preston said the program would be STEM‑based and provide homework support, a healthy snack and supervised outdoor play. She described a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with full‑day care options during winter and spring break and expanded summer offerings including discounted swimming lessons through a partnership with Dallas Aquatic Center. “We’ve already done the pre‑certification process,” Preston said, adding that the state certifier had confirmed the site could serve the proposed age group.

Why it matters: Preston and commissioners framed the project as a response to limited childcare capacity in Polk County. Preston cited a 2022 study finding Polk County’s access rate at about 17 percent and said existing after‑school programs in the area already have multiyear wait lists. Commissioners and staff said expanding after‑school options supports local workforce participation and broader economic development goals.

Preston outlined four categories for the requested funding: one‑time start‑up costs (furniture, storage and STEM equipment), program operation funds to cover early staffing and insurance while enrollment builds, licensing and permitting costs (state licensing, fire marshal and sanitation inspections, and a conditional use permit from the City of Dallas), and marketing for enrollment and outreach. She told the board she had already discussed the conditional use permit with city staff and had the application prepared, pending funding.

Board members requested clarifications about enrollment and rates. Preston said current enrollment at Academia’s existing site includes 29 families; the center employs four full‑time and nine part‑time staff and serves children ages 6 weeks through 5 years there. For the new after‑school slots, she said the program would accept ERDC voucher holders (a state voucher program administered through the Department of Early Learning and Care) and could reserve a limited number of spots for that population if commissioners desired. “We could hold five spots out of our 25…to make sure we always have room,” she said, while noting the center must maintain cash flow for held slots.

On pricing, Preston said the after‑school rate would be $4.50 per child for standard after‑school sessions and outlined summer rates of $4.50 for a morning or afternoon session and $8.50 for a full day. She described those figures as modeled on neighboring programs and said ERDC vouchers would adjust some families’ co‑pays based on need.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the business development grant application to Academia Early Learning Center for $30,000; another commissioner seconded. The board called for the vote and approved the grant unanimously. The motion included no amendments and the transcript does not record the mover’s or seconder’s names.

Next steps Preston described include submitting the conditional use permit to the City of Dallas, scheduling required inspections (fire marshal and sanitation), completing state licensing steps and hiring staff. She told the board her objective was to begin the after‑school program the Monday after school ends in June, and she estimated the program would begin generating net revenue by month three if enrollment reached capacity.

The board and Preston discussed potential future expansion to additional sites in Monmouth and Independence if demand remains high; Preston said site capacity at the Dallas location is capped by square‑footage requirements but that other churches and facilities have been discussed as future locations.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the $30,000 business development grant to Academia Early Learning Center; the vote was recorded as unanimous and the grant was approved. The transcript does not specify which commissioner moved or seconded the motion.

Preston and commissioners used the public comment and agenda item period for the presentation and approval; further implementation depends on city permitting and state licensing steps.