Keystone Learning Services Seeks New Home Amidst District Expansion
Keystone Learning Services, a vital educational and support organization currently headquartered in Ozawkie, Kansas, is facing a critical juncture as it searches for a new facility. The urgency stems from the Jefferson West school district's need to reclaim the building that has housed Keystone for the past 14 years. This situation presents a significant challenge for Keystone Administrator Dr. Doug Anderson and Assistant Special Education Director Belinda O’Dell, who are tasked with finding a suitable and centrally located replacement with considerable speed. The organization is actively seeking the public's assistance in identifying potential new quarters.
The Need for a New Location: A Growing District's Demand
The Jefferson West school district's decision to reclaim its building is driven by increasing enrollment and a subsequent need for more classroom space. As Dr. Doug Anderson explained, the district's facilities are becoming crowded, necessitating the return of the Ozawkie building to serve its own students. This presents a direct challenge to Keystone Learning Services, which has come to rely on the current space for its diverse operations. The current location is not only the right size but is also ideally centrally located among the eight school districts served through an interlocal agreement, a factor that is paramount for the accessibility of their services.
Keystone's Crucial Services and Vulnerable Students
Keystone Learning Services plays a crucial role in supporting a wide range of students and families. The organization is desperately looking for an alternative location that remains centrally located for its member districts. A significant concern for Keystone is the continuity of services for its most vulnerable children, who are served in the Ozawkie building year-round through a partnership with The Guidance Center. Families have come to rely on the comprehensive collection of resources available at the current facility, and there is a profound concern about finding a suitable replacement that can accommodate these essential programs.
The Scope of Operations at the Ozawkie Facility
The current Ozawkie building is a hub for several key programs. It houses the John Dewey Learning Academy, which currently serves 37 students across grades 1 through high school, utilizing six classrooms. In addition to the administrative offices, which are located in Ozawkie, the building accommodates a number of offices essential for the service center's operations. These statewide services are currently managed within one large area, divided by cubicles. Furthermore, the Ozawkie building is home to an after-school program, operated in conjunction with The Guidance Center, which extends its services through the summer months. The location of this program is also of significant importance for accessibility and community engagement.
Exploring Potential Alternatives: Challenges and Limitations
Dr. Anderson and his team have been actively exploring various options for a new location. The interlocal board has considered several possibilities, but as of yet, nothing entirely suitable has been identified. The Catholic school in Nortonville was a potential candidate, but it was deemed unavailable for the long-term needs of Keystone. Another option explored was the Highland college building in Perry, but this facility has since come under new ownership, rendering it unsuitable. A business building in Valley Falls was also examined. However, the conversion of a commercial property into an educational facility presented significant hurdles, particularly concerning the provision of sufficient restrooms and the critical need for students to have access to outdoor recreation, which was lacking in that particular business district.
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Financial Realities and Funding Models
A key consideration for Keystone Learning Services is the potential for ownership of a new building. However, Dr. Anderson expressed doubts about the feasibility of building new, given the substantial costs associated with land acquisition and construction. The organization may consider a lease-purchase arrangement with a willing partner. It is important to note that Keystone does not possess taxing authority. Its revenue streams are derived from state and federal funding, supplemented by tax dollars contributed by the eight districts it serves. For many years, these sponsoring districts included the six in Jefferson County, along with Atchison County Community at Effingham. The addition of Easton in 2014 brought the total to eight districts. A governing board, composed of one representative from each of these districts, oversees Keystone's operations. Any decision to finance new quarters would require the agreement of this board and their respective districts. The current monthly cost for Keystone's facility is a modest $1,200, a figure comparable to what USD 340 is paying a local bank to house its administration.
Jefferson West's Perspective: Growth and Space Constraints
USD 340 Superintendent Jason Crawford highlighted the significant growth the district is experiencing, noting the need for four sections of kindergarten and the anticipation of needing four sections of first graders in the coming year, contingent on hiring qualified teachers. The school board is actively evaluating all its options, and regaining possession of the Ozawkie building is seen as a short-term solution to some of their immediate space challenges. Crawford acknowledged that there are complexities in breaking the current lease agreement, with conflicting language found in different sections of the document. Despite these challenges, the district planned to engage in discussions with the Keystone board to reach a mutually agreeable understanding. Crawford stated that the district is willing to negotiate and potentially offer an additional year, but emphasized the need for viable alternatives for USD 340 as well.
Strategic Relocation of Programs: Immediate Relief and Future Vision
One of the immediate steps being considered to alleviate pressure on USD 340 facilities is the relocation of two Head Start classrooms from the Meriden elementary building to the Ozawkie location. This NEK-CAP program has been housed by USD 340 free of charge. Moving these classes to Ozawkie would provide short-term relief, enabling the district to operate for another year. Additionally, a Keystone pre-kindergarten class, previously situated in the Meriden elementary building, has already been relocated to Valley Falls. Superintendent Crawford envisions the Ozawkie building ultimately housing the Head Start program, an early childhood development program, and the administrative offices, along with necessary conference and board rooms. He also pointed out the community's need for additional childcare services, as well as before- and after-school and summer programs. Crawford believes that the benefits derived from utilizing the Ozawkie building for these purposes far outweigh any potential sale value.
Addressing Crowding and Future Infrastructure Needs
The potential to relieve pressure on the Meriden elementary building could allow for the fifth-graders to be moved back to that facility, rather than being housed in the middle school, which is also experiencing significant crowding. USD 340 currently operates with one of the lowest mill levies in the region at 40 and has no outstanding bonded indebtedness. However, Crawford estimated that the construction of a new middle school would cost approximately $55 million. An increase of 16 mills would only generate about $13 million, which would then place the district's levy among the highest in the area. Furthermore, the district lacks adequate land for such a project.
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