District 7 officials propose converting ASB into pre-K center to address long waitlist
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Summary
Standing in front of ASB, District 7 leaders proposed converting the ASB building into an "ASB Pre-K Center," said they would apply for a Head Start grant and cited roughly 100 children on a fall waitlist and a claim that Williams County meets 19% of local early-childhood need.
Standing in front of ASB, Jurmerson and Kenzie Brown outlined a plan to convert the building into an "ASB Pre-K Center" to expand early-childhood capacity, and said the district would seek Head Start grant funding to support the effort.
Jurmerson, who identified themself as representing District 7, introduced the idea and framed it as a use of space freed when fifth graders move from Central Campus back into the elementary school. "Why don't we make ASB a pre-K center?" Jurmerson asked. He added that one goal would be "applying for the Head Start grant, which we could get Head Start back again."
Kenzie Brown, identified in the discussion as District 7’s CTE director and pre-K director, said the building would accommodate different pre-K sites and special-education preschool classrooms. Brown said the district currently has "3 future kids pre k's, 1 in the Bakken and then 2 at Lisonbee Clark," and argued that early childhood special-ed students benefit from being placed with same-age peers. "This is the perfect building for it," Brown said.
Both speakers emphasized local need. Brown said enrollment is rising "at every age, but especially those littles," and noted that "this fall, there was about a 100 kids on the waiting list because there was no room." She added that "Williams County is only filling 19% of the need for early childhood and daycare." Jurmerson said the available space would let the district better serve those children so "when they get to kindergarten they're ready to go."
Jurmerson also confirmed prior local support and fundraising: he said ASB has donated funds and that he met with Dave Hansen, the bank president, and Pat Sogard, the owner of American State Bank, who "think it is an amazing idea." When asked whether the facility's name would change, he said the proposed name would be the "ASB Pre-K Center."
The presenters invited community input and questions but recorded no formal motion or vote. "I want you guys to jump on board and let's do some good things for our kids," Jurmerson said, asking for "thumbs up or some questions or concerns." The proposal remains a plan at this stage; officials said they will pursue grant funding and community feedback before any formal decision.