By Marcia Barnes
Staff Writer
Superintendent of Schools Melissa Godfrey presented two time-sensitive issues before the board and public at the Board of Education meeting Monday night. Sensitive, if not critical, is the future of Clay County Schools Daycare. Secondly, Godfrey announced an intent to award the new Intermediate School to low bidder Wells and West. Godfrey’s report requiring action on the daycare program began with its history and with Godfrey prefacing the report. “I want to preface this that I am not making a recommendation for, simply representing the information I’ve been given,” Godfrey said.
Clay County Schools opened the first Employee Daycare Program in the 1998-1999 school year when the cost per child was $25 per week. Rates did increase over time, but were always deeply discounted. Each parent provided weekly meals for the entire class taking turns on a rotation basis. Operating the daycare was a large expense for the district with the discounted rates.
In July 2021, Southwestern Child Development took over Clay County Daycare. Upon Southwestern closing all daycare centers in western North Carolina in October 2023, Clay County Schools took back the daycare. Funding was committed to ensure that the daycare could operate through the end of the school year. With the end of this school year quickly approaching, the Board of Education must make a decision on the future of daycare. During the three-minute public comment time, Erin Ledford, who is a physical therapist in the Department of Exceptional Children, addressed the board. Ledford thanked the board for their diligence in keeping the school’s daycare in operation without any lapse when Southwestern closed down and how staff and teachers have relied on the on-campus daycare. “We’re asking you to again go above and beyond your duties,” Ledford said. “Though it’s not a school board responsibility, we are asking for help to find a solution.”
Godfrey’s report on the benefits of the Clay County Schools Daycare included that it is a unique recruitment tool and one stop for employees. Nurses are on site and staff is not dependent on private care which can be unpredictable. There are educational benefits in quality education for future Clay County students and the daycare eases transition from daycare to Pre-K. Godfrey said that is because the children are already on the campus. It also provides opportunities for Early Childhood Development students to have on-site, on-the-job experiences.
What are the practical issues? What are the policy issues? Godfrey’s list included space concerns at Hayesville Primary School and that if daycare is continued, it would need to seek its own license. Open to the public, summer care is necessary; staff doesn’t always need summer care. Staffing is a concern, openings need to be advertised and locally-allocated funds are appropriated to K-12. Daycare programs are rated 5 Star, 4 Star and 3 Star. The 5 Star rate for a 2 year old is $983 per month; 4 Star rate, $833; 3 Star rate, $726. A daycare operating at the school as a 5 Star or 4 Star with 30 students operates in the black; a 3 Star could not. Licensing requirements to operate as 5 Star or 4 Star takes time, although Clay County Schools Daycare could continue to operate with a 3 Star rating while applying.
There are the unknowns: space, rates, number of slots to be filled, license outcome, subsidy reimbursement and cost to obtain a 5 Star rating. The concerns with closing are seven employees’ positions. There is a potential concern for maintaining the current staff if daycare isn’t available.
At the end of this school year, it is anticipated there will only be two daycare providers open to serve Clay County. Carolina Christian Daycare will close in May.
Godfrey’s report was followed by emotional comments from board members. “I’m a little speechless on this — a difficult decision to make, very, very hard,” Reba Beck said.
Chairman Jason Shook said, “Children’s lives are attached to this, it’s not easy.” Board member Kelly Crawford said, “This is tough.”
Danny Jones made a motion to table a decision until next month. He said, “It may make us look a little harder.” The motion was approved. Clay County Schools Daycare will be addressed at the next board meeting on Monday, April 22.
News on Hayesville Intermediate School included an announcement from Godfrey that the $12 million Supplemental Grant applied for was awarded, now giving Clay County Schools a total of $52 million for the new school.
Godfrey reported to the board and public that Wells and West were the low bidder for the project. “Initially, when we put this out to bid, option one was a base bid which would include the hub and the six-eight wing,” Godfrey said.
“When the bids came in, one of the bids was right at $45 million and the other at $49 million. With the Supplemental Grant Award, Clay County Schools has $52 million to spend.
“That low bid does not include owner’s costs. The owner’s responsibilities include surveys, commissioning, testing, furniture and fixtures, architect fees and owner contingent fees. This totals $5.4 million. If we build the base bid we’ll be at $51 million.”
Godfrey recommended an intent to award the $45,439,000 low bid to West and Wells. The board approved the intent to award.
The meeting’s reports and actions included the following and further information can be found at: www.claycountyschools.org.
• Parent Bill of Rights update.
• Staff Wellness Day update.
• School calendar approval with first day of 2024-2025 school year on Aug. 6.
• Local budget request for 2024-2025 school year, $2,453,642.00,
was approved.
The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, April 22..\