City and community leaders at the Nov. 10 Missoula City Council meeting described an unfolding childcare disruption after an engineering report prompted Missoula County Public Schools to vacate the wing that houses Missoula Child Care Advantage providers.

Mayor Andrea Davis said the district received an engineer's report warning of a structural concern in a wing of Cold Springs Elementary where Missoula Child Care Advantage operates. "They had a roof failure in the wing where the Missoula Child Care Advantage takes place," she said, and staff are working with MCPS and partners on potential space in Jefferson School. The mayor said engineers must "cut into the ceilings in the classrooms to look above and discover" the full extent of the problem before a final assessment.

Councilor Mike Nugent, who has a history with United Way and Missoula Child Care Advantage, told the council the district received the engineer's report Friday morning and that providers were asked to vacate while testing continues. Nugent said staff and partners are "hopeful that within the coming days, they're gonna have a clear path forward" and noted that roughly 70 children were affected.

City staff said parks staff have been coordinating with MCPS and the United Way to identify temporary spaces and supports; no final relocation outcome was announced at the Nov. 10 meeting. The council urged rapid follow-up to minimize disruption to families, and Mayor Davis said more information would follow as testing and coordination continue.

What happens next: engineering crews will inspect above classrooms to determine structural needs; MCPS, United Way and city staff are exploring relocation options including Jefferson School and hope to present next steps in the coming days.