Board of Education President Jeff Todd shared an update on the Early Childhood Center project at the November 13 school board meeting. 

Parkway's plans for a new early childhood center have evolved in response to traffic concerns and other complications at the proposed Manchester site. 

As we shared plans to build on the field between Southwest Middle and Wren Hollow Elementary, some community members raised significant concerns, particularly about the loss of green space and the impact of increased traffic. A Parkway traffic study confirmed that congestion would indeed be an issue—and costly to address.

In response, we explored alternative locations and paused work on a new center. We hoped to find a site large enough in the south area to meet early childhood needs as concerns about the Wren Avenue location continued to grow. Despite these efforts, we have not found a clear, feasible alternative, and we have too many concerns to build on the Wren Avenue site.

However, the needs are still there. Our early childhood staff drive between multiple satellite locations to serve our students in early childhood classrooms, creating inefficiencies. We have a wait list of hundreds of families who want to enroll their children in Parkway’s program, but we lack the space to serve them. The message from our community has been consistent: Parkway needs a long-term, sustainable solution that ensures high-quality early learning opportunities for all children.

Next Steps: We are actively exploring immediate and long-term solutions through the Facilities 2050 initiative and a newly formed South Area Early Childhood Workgroup. These efforts aim to develop strategies that serve our community's immediate needs and long-term educational goals.

Our Commitment: We will direct Prop S bond funds approved for a new center toward our commitment to early childhood education when a solution is identified.

Your Support: We are grateful for the community's ongoing support and patience as we navigate these challenges. Updates on our progress will be shared on the Early Childhood Center project web page and through the Facilities 2050 updates.

Stay tuned for more information as we work together towards a solution that benefits all Parkway students and families.