The Friends of the Bowlus have offered one of its properties rent-free to the Iola Arts and Literacy Project proposed to the Iola school board earlier this week.
The preschool project, which would integrate fine arts and literacy in a USD 257-run pre-kindergarten program, is a collaboration between USD 257, the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and Allen Community College. The preschool is a response to a high demand and a low supply of pre-kindergarten services in Iola and Allen County.
Beth Toland, ACC Early Childhood Development Coordinator and a key player in the project’s development, told the USD 257 board Monday three things have to happen for the project to become a reality: the school district, the Bowlus and ACC must chip in about $9,000 each; Wichita philanthropist and businessman Barry Downing must award a grant expected to exceed $200,000, and an adequate facility must be found to house the preschool’s two classrooms and 80 children.
Tuesday, Toland whittled her list from three to two. The Friends, an organization whose purpose is to support the fine arts center, agreed to house the project if Downing and USD 257 decide to get on board.
ACC also has agreed to fund its share of the project.
The preschool will be housed free of charge at a recently purchased property by the Friends at 217 E. Madison Ave. It is the former home of Iolan Phyllis Warren, who has since moved.
Downing’s grant would pay for renovations to the house to get it up to education department
facility standards.
Toland said grant dollars aren’t typically eligible for capital improvement, another reason to get excited about the project’s feasibility.
Although the intention when purchasing the home, which sits one lot east of the fine arts center, was for control, after being approached by Toland in late 2011, it became clear there was an opportunity for a mutually beneficial partnership, said Jan Knewtson, president of The Friends executive board.
The Friends bought the home for $110,000 in October. The Friends now own two of the properties that border the center, including the home at something Buckeye, which is rented.
Executive board members Wednesday told the Register not only will the proposed preschool serve a community — the Iola Arts and Literacy Project will charge for its services but allow scholarships for poverty-stricken families — but its emphasis on the arts will serve the Bowlus’ and The Friends’ interests as well.
“There’s certainly a need for preschool education in our community,” said Jerry Dreher, secretary and treasurer for The Friends.
The need is on the rise, too.
Kids Kingdom recently announced it is ending its preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds next year. Theresa Cook, owner of Munchkin Land daycare center, will rent space from Mona Hull’s Kids Kingdom. Cook’s program will accept up to 24 pre-schoolers.
In a telephone conversation Wednesday, Hull said she had received only 10 applications for preschoolers. She cited the district’s program at Windsor Place as a reason in the dropoff.
Between area programs, only 163 children will be able to attend preschool in Allen County during the next academic year.
