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UECS principal outlines $120k–$140k playground plan; $30,000 donation received
Summary
Urbana Early Childhood School principal Katie Madigan presented a plan to replace an aging wooden playground (estimated $120,000–$140,000) and said the Gary and Michelle Olson Trust donated $30,000 to start fundraising; the board accepted the gift and discussed access and fundraising mechanics.
Principal Katie Madigan told the board that Urbana Early Childhood School serves about 300 students (capacity 360), with about 85% from low‑income households and roughly 22% receiving special education services. She said parts of the current playground were reused from a 2002 purchase and that the wooden structure is nearing the end of its life and has become hazardous in places.
Madigan presented an initial design developed with Cunningham Recreation and estimated the replacement cost at about $120,000 to $140,000. She said Urbana has limited ability to fund such a project internally, so the school is pursuing grants and donations. "We did receive our first donation of dollars 30,000 to get us started on this project, from Gary and Michelle Olsen Trust," Madigan told the board, and staff confirmed a QR code and a donation link would be made available in the board update.
Board members asked whether swings would remain; Madigan said the swings installed in 2013 are not in need of replacement and would remain. When asked whether the playground would be open to neighborhood children, Madigan said the early childhood and Dr. Williams playgrounds are fully fenced and locked for student use only.
Why it matters: The playground replacement affects the district’s youngest students and requires external fundraising because the school’s state grant funding does not cover large capital projects. The board formally accepted the lead $30,000 donation and acknowledged the need for further fundraising and grant applications.
Next steps: The school will continue to pursue grants and donations, update the QR/donation link in the board update, and return to the board as appropriate for formal acceptance of additional gifts or to request district support.
