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Parent says district childcare program will close in December after grant denial; asks about fundraiser money
Summary
A parent told the board a block grant application for the district childcare program was denied and the program will close in December; the parent questioned why rates were increased and why funds raised for craft supplies appear unaccounted for.
During the public comment period, Nathan Riding told the board the district's childcare sustainability team pursued an early childhood block grant that was not funded and said staff later informed parents the district plans to close the childcare program in December 2026 if no other funding is found.
Riding said parents were asked on April 7 whether they would keep children enrolled under recommended rate increases for 2026–27. He told the board he was willing to accept a higher rate if it would preserve the program, but said he later learned the grant had already been denied before that date and asked why rates would increase if the program was ending in a few months.
He also reported a Krispy Kreme fundraiser that raised money for craft supplies at four childcare locations and said providers subsequently spent their own money and that parents do not know what happened to the funds. He asked the board for clarification about the fundraiser proceeds and the decisions about rates and program timing.
Board leaders thanked Riding for speaking and reminded him that written comments can be emailed to the board clerk for full consideration. No board action was recorded on the public comment.
