Board approves initiative agreement with Native American Child Care Center; funding not automatic this year

The Sioux City Community School District board on Sept. 8 approved an initiative agreement with the Native American Child Care Center to provide high-quality preschool services for 4-year-olds in the community. What the agreement covers and funding caveat: Jared Mosier and Amber Hannah presented the agreement. Staff said the provider operates at a church location and had previously participated in the district’s preschool initiative but had lost eligibility when it could not meet certain staffing requirements. The center believes it now meets the licensure/teacher credential requirement or will seek a waiver while an identified teacher finishes a degree. District staff said there is no funding attached to the agreement for the current year; if the center gains state approval and meets enrollment thresholds the district could return to the board later to request preschool carryover funds to support the center for the current year. Board action: The board approved the initiative agreement 6-0. Staff said any district funding for the current year would come back to the board for explicit approval; the agreement itself does not automatically trigger district payments. Next steps: If state teacher approval and enrollment conditions are met, staff said they would bring a proposal to the board to provide carryover funding for the center’s enrollment numbers. The district will continue to recruit and support community partners to expand high-quality preschool access. Ending: The board approved the agreement and moved to other agenda items.