Platteville board weighs reserving staff child-care slots at new Southwest Health center

At its April 8, 2026 regular meeting, the Platteville School District discussed whether to reserve a small number of child-care slots for district staff at a new center opening at the Southwest Health Campus and to be operated by New Horizons. District staff said the center is expected to open in October and that the district helped write grants to support the project.

District operations lead Mr. Babel told the board that reserving spots could be a significant retention and recruitment tool but carries financial risk: under the draft contract the district would be responsible for paying for any reserved spot that a district staff member did not fill. "If we do not have four of our staff members take those spots, the contract would state that the district must pay for that fifth spot," Mr. Babel said, framing the issue as a tradeoff between supporting staff and assuming potential costs.

Board members asked detailed operational questions and asked staff to return with concrete numbers before the board commits. Questions included whether the district could negotiate the number of reserved slots (for example reducing five to three), whether priority would cover full‑time staff only or also after‑school care, whether a reserved "spot" is age-specific (infant versus older child), and whether the district could be relieved of payment if non‑district families fill unused reserved slots. A board member asked for the proposed rates and said staff interest should be re‑surveyed with clear wording distinguishing full‑time, part‑time and after‑school needs.

Mr. Babel reported a cursory email to staff that showed up to nine people expressed interest but the email did not include cost estimates. Board members suggested using a lottery if demand exceeds reserved slots and asked whether the district can negotiate clauses that reduce its liability if the provider fills vacancies with non‑district families. Members also asked about possible university collaboration and whether existing bus routes could serve the new site.

The board did not approve any commitment on April 8. Members directed staff to collect further information from Southwest Health and New Horizons — specifically the proposed rates, whether reserved slots are age‑categorized, whether priority extends to after‑school care for the same children, and whether liability changes if the provider fills unused slots with non‑district families — and to return with that information at a later meeting for further consideration.

If the board opts to reserve slots, members said they want written terms on the number of slots, how overflow will be handled, and cost exposure for the district. For now, the matter remains a discussion item pending the requested clarifying details and rates.