(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School Board voted Monday night to convert Wilson Elementary School into an early learning center. Beaver Dam Unified School District Superintendent Mark DiStefano explains how the conversion will work.
“So, what we’re talking about specifically at Wilson is over the course of the next two-three years [is] shifting the use of a traditional 5K elementary school to a community learning and childcare site that would serve children aged zero-to-five, so infant to toddler.”
Wilson will remain as is for the 2023-2024 school year. In the fall of 2024, there will be no new kindergarten and the district will begin offering infant and toddler childcare. DiStefano says in the fall of 2025, the remaining grades will transition to Washington elementary and Wilson’s full use will shift to support early learning and childcare needs in the community.
Board member Marge Jorgensen is behind the idea, especially for school staff members.
“I think our teachers and staff would be grateful for having an option for their own children,” says Jorgensen. “You know, that also as the parents stay home…take time, give up a job or whatever because that’s a time period that infant to toddler time, where childcare is difficult to get.”
Jorgensen also says the childcare option for school staff would be worthwhile.
