District explores public‑private daycare partnerships to support workforce and families

Superintendent Wayne Wurmstead outlined an exploratory approach for developing daycare and early learning capacity as a community economic development tool. He proposed starting conversations with city, county, chambers and economic development partners, identifying district space (Whitewood Elementary, Sturgis facilities) that could be leased or remodeled, and pursuing public‑private partnership models so the district would provide space without assuming long‑term operational risk.

Wurmstead said successful examples require shared long‑term commitments so a facility remains available even if private operators change. He suggested potential funding pathways (grants, partnerships) and noted a realistic timeline: two years to stand up one facility with strong partners and up to four or five years for additional sites that require remodeling. Board members generally supported exploring the idea and asked for further outreach and feasibility work.