Board delays Silver Hill PreK bid, asks staff for transportation and catchment analysis

The Baldwin County school board voted on Feb. 19 to pause the Silver Hill PreK construction bid and direct staff to provide additional information about where students would come from and how transportation would be handled before the board proceeds.

Board members and staff discussed a proposed standalone PreK center planned to serve roughly 400—500 children from an 8—10 mile radius, with the goal of relieving crowding at schools that currently house PreK units. Staff said the site was intended to be a centralized option that could free classroom space at several elementary schools, but several board members raised concerns about parent transportation burdens and whether certain schools would lose existing PreK units.

Shannon (district staff) told the board there were 866 PreK students currently enrolled systemwide and that some schools operate multiple PreK units while others have none, which has created waiting lists. Staff also noted that special-education transport rules can provide busing for some students under IEPs, but that general-education families might face commute challenges if a centralized center is located farther from their homes.

Rather than proceed with the bid opening that staff had scheduled, the board approved adding an agenda item to issue an addendum to delay the Silver Hill bid and study catchment and transportation implications; facilities staff said an addendum could be issued immediately to postpone the March bid opening. The board asked staff (Frank and Randy) to return in March with a more precise radius, a list of schools likely affected, and possible transportation and after-school-care solutions.

What's next: staff will prepare a March work-session report with catchment maps, estimated student populations by sending school, transportation options and any potential grant opportunities for additional PreK units.