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Parents and board seek short-term funding to keep Hearts and Hands Preschool open; council to consider options
Summary
Parents and board members said Hearts and Hands Preschool faces closure without bridge funding; the city manager reported convening a multiagency meeting to identify short- and long-term support and council asked staff to report back on possible bridge funding at a future meeting.
Parents and board representatives for Hearts and Hands Preschool urged the Calistoga City Council on Feb. 17 to consider short-term support to keep the preschool operating through the school year.
Stephanie Duff Erickson, a longtime resident and board member, described early childhood education as essential and warned that tuition and resource pressures can force closures even where children and families exist to fill seats. Parent and board member Sadie Belts told the council the group has raised about $20,000 so far and asked to be placed on a future agenda to discuss bridge funding through June while a longer-term plan is developed.
City Manager reported staff convened a meeting with city and county officials, nonprofits, schools and local organizations (including the Napa County Office of Education, Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club, Community Resource for Children and others) to identify short-term actions and possible sustainable solutions. The manager said action items were identified but that the results were preliminary and staff were continuing to work on follow-up.
Several councilmembers praised staff's rapid convening and suggested the council consider whether a small part of a modest budget surplus or other funding sources could provide bridge support. Vice Mayor Giff asked staff to explore options and bring an agenda item about potential bridge funding to the next meeting; council requested a report back on the outcomes of the recent interagency meeting and any external funding opportunities being pursued.
No formal funding decision was made on Feb. 17; the council directed staff to return with more information so members could consider an informed action at an upcoming meeting.
