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Board hears superintendent’s update on childcare partnership, construction delays and outdoor education vision
Summary
Superintendent reported a grant-funded childcare partnership at West Noble Elementary that will use two classrooms and an infant room, detailed construction delays (roof, mismeasured windows) that push interior work, and presented a vision for the 'Field Farm & Forest' with a proposed outdoor-education coordinator to manage trails, curriculum and community partnerships.
The West Noble School Corporation superintendent told the board the district has partnered with the Noble Early Learning Center to use space at West Noble Elementary for infant and childcare programming while the center develops a permanent facility.
The superintendent said the district allowed the early-learning provider to renovate two classrooms and an adjoining gathering space at no cost to the district, paid for by grants the center obtained. The planned infant room will serve children from birth up to about 13 months and include a changing station, sink and kitchen access; the superintendent said the district retains the option to restore the rooms to classroom use in future years.
On timing, the superintendent said construction to convert the large gathering area into two separate spaces and an office had not yet begun but contractors are expected to start around mid‑March, with a realistic opening to the public targeted for July or the start of the next school year, pending state licensing and a site visit. The superintendent noted a capacity figure of 38 for the initial site-based program and that the early-learning operator aims for year-round, weekday hours when open to the public.
In the same report, the superintendent outlined delays to a building project (weight-room area) caused by unexpected underground drains and pipes discovered during excavation, weather requirements for roofing (needing multiple consecutive dry days above 40°F), and incorrectly measured windows and doors that must be re-ordered. The district displayed a 12-week follow-up schedule and staff estimated roughly 10–12 weeks of interior work once the roof is sealed.
The superintendent also presented a conceptual vision for the district’s Field Farm & Forest property, described existing acreage (reported in the discussion as roughly 29 acres in one parcel and a possible additional 17.7 acres under consideration) and proposed creating an outdoor-education coordinator position. The job description (shared with the board) would cover property management, curriculum integration, teacher training, community partnerships and programming such as trails, garden projects, wildlife observation and potentially specialized activities (for example, EV go-kart or robotics-linked programs).
The superintendent framed the Field Farm & Forest idea as preliminary and said no purchase or formal proposal was before the board; the item was placed in the information packet for further conversation and input from stakeholders and the CTA.
