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Parents and teachers urge Piedmont to keep longtime Play School at 401 Hampton
Summary
Multiple parents, former board presidents and the school's director told the council the city is signaling Piedmont Play School must vacate 401 Hampton in spring 2026 and asked the council to reconsider or pursue a collaborative solution to preserve the co‑op preschool.
Speakers at the council's public forum urged the city to reverse or revisit a reported plan to displace Piedmont Play School from the cottage at 401 Hampton.
"The city is now indicating that it wants to displace PPS from the building that was constructed to be its permanent home with an exit date of spring of 20 26," said Samantha Nobles Block, a member of the school's advisory board and a Piedmont resident. She told the council that a letter circulated over the weekend had gathered signatures from roughly 130 families by noon Monday.
Michelle Ritchie, who identified herself as "the current director and teacher at Piedmont Play School," said she has worked at the school since 2013 and also runs an extended‑day program through the Piedmont Recreation Department. "I really believe that there's room for both of us in this sweet cottage at Hampton Field," she said.
Former board presidents and parents also described the school's community role. Sandy Chen Feder said the building at 401 Hampton was the product of a public‑private effort and that "the spirit of that original agreement was that PPS would have use of the building in perpetuity at no rent." Elisa Lee, another former PPS president, asked the council to "please reconsider extending PPS's lease of the space in Hampton Field."
Several speakers requested more transparency about the closed‑session discussion they understood had covered the school's use agreement. Jessica Burke said she understood the lease had been up after 25 years and urged the council to publicly disclose what was discussed in closed session "so we know what the situation is." Lois Korn, a longtime resident, asked the city to convene a town hall that would include the school board and other community groups.
Council members did not take an immediate action during public comment. The public forum record and speakers' remarks place the request for lease extension and formation of a task force or public meeting on the council's follow‑up list.
