The purchase of the building was finalized in early January 2025. The first phase is planning which will take several months. Renovations are expected to begin during the summer of 2025 with the goal of opening the facility for the 2026-27 school year. 

Pre-K programming is slated to expand from half-day classes serving 162 children to full-day classes, serving approximately 350 children; more than twice the current enrollment. The intention will be to serve all four-year-olds in the district without access to pre-k classes and all three-year-olds identified as high needs for early intervention.

The Phelps County Community Foundation chose this project as a focus based on the data returned in their 2023 Impact Report. A community survey conducted by the PCCF found that early childhood needs were immediate and widespread in the area.

The PCCF is committed to raising $1.95 million to cover the initial purchase of the facility. With over $1 million committed, and a matching opportunity from the Chymiak Family Foundation for the next $250,000, community support is evident. The district is committed to $2 million at this time, and Four Rivers has also committed to fund their portion of the project. The overall cost of the project is estimated at $9 million. The PCCF has worked diligently to help secure additional funding through state resources to complete the projected funds needed.

All three elementary schools are currently operating over capacity. The shifting of classrooms from all three district elementary schools into the new ECC will allow the district to address the anticipated growth from the new housing developments and commercial growth.

Early survey work ahead of the 2015 municipal election indicated that voters would not support a stand-alone early childhood facility. Voters did, however, approve the initiation of early childhood education programs at each elementary school during the 2015 election. The programming has been in place since the fall of 2017. Shifts in local early childhood programming and childcare shortages have amplified the need for a district-led center over the past decade.

Studies have shown an investment of $8-$9 return per $1 invested. Overall, the project is expected to have $3.5 million annual impact through educational and public health benefits.

Both Four Rivers and R31 will need additional staff to support these programs. Custodians, food service workers, administrative assistants, nurses, paraprofessionals, and teachers will be necessary.

Yes, anyone can make an appointment and utilize the clinic which is focused primarily on pediatric medical and dental services. The clinic will have a separate entrance from the Early Childhood Center with no public access between the two spaces. However, strong collaboration will exist between the preschool program and the clinic programs, with parental permission, to assist families with preventative healthcare and healthy lifestyles. The combination of educational and health/wellness programming will provide a strong foundation for the students through life. 

Access to onsite medical services will provide families with resources to address immediate and ongoing medical needs. Parents may attend clinic visits virtually during the school day and prescription medicine may be picked up by parents at the onsite clinic. This ease of service will improve student attendance and minimize time out of school. 

Phelps County Community Foundation is comprised of 13 members of a board of directors devoted to seeing Phelps County continue to grow and prosper. The foundation launched two major projects, presenting local law enforcement with a check for $51,668 toward a mobile camera system in May 2024, then coordinating funding for a pilot project named the Rural Schools Early Literacy Collaborative-Phelps County in August 2024. The literacy program spans three years and provides literacy coaching to all kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers within the 5 school districts of Phelps County. Working alongside the state Department of Education and Secondary Education and the South Central Regional Professional Development Centers, the collaborative in Phelps County will serve as an incubator from which the state can adopt an effective coaching model to improve literacy.

In January 2024, PCCF released an impact report as a guide to understanding where the community excels, where it needs immediate attention, and areas of potential concern. Over 1,300 responses were received on the survey to identify community needs.

PCCF plans to explore more projects to address the diverse needs identified in the Impact Report. 

To learn more about the Phelps County Community Foundation, go to phelpscountycommunityfoundation.org. To contact someone with PCCF, email information@phelpscountycommunityfoundation.org, fill out the contact form on the website, or call (573) 426-4220.