KCED Discusses Daycare With Sigourney Board

SIGOURNEY – During the Aug. 14 meeting of the Sigourney School Board, the board met with Gary Iosbaker of KCED to discuss the progress with establishing a daycare in Sigourney. Iosbaker explained that the Keokuk County Childcare Network had established an independent 501c3, finished developing a financial model for a registered childcare network, and found a location in Sigourney for the daycare. He stated that the original plan of a large, registered daycare conceived by KCED would not be able to start until the summer of 2025 at the earliest.

Iosbaker stated the network is looking into starting at a smaller scale to allow a sooner start. The current plan is to open an unregistered daycare that focuses on school age children, with three and four-year-old children being a maybe, as a cash flow exercise. He stated that, if the daycare gets a return on investment, it may be able to attract an investor. Iosbaker stated that the goal was to start within 30-60 days, although doing so would be a challenge. Former Pekin Elementary Principal and current Sigourney Workplace Learning Coordinator Jenny Bell stated that a daycare helps teachers stay in the area.

After discussing the daycare, Iosbaker, who is also a Sigourney City Councilman, discussed plans by KCED and the city to create a community center. He stated that they had assembled a group of local leaders including himself, Connie McLaughlin (representing the Keokuk County Community Endowment Foundation), Stephani Lentz (representing the city), Mike Bensmiller (representing Sigourney Schools), Matt Ives (representing Keokuk County Hospitals and Clinics), Daryl Wood (representing the county), Mark O’Rourke (representing County Bank), Kristin Woods (representing MidwestOne Bank) and Dave Peterson (representing Kiwanis) to obtain an Iowa Economic Development Authority Boost Grant. This grant, which has a deadline at the end of the month, will give a minimum of $15,000 to launch an exploratory strategic exercise to research the project.

A concerned citizen stated that there should be Wednesday night break times, where there are no practice, activities or homework, that students can use to spend time with families or at church. He stated he would like this to be at least once a month. Superintendent Kevin Hatfield said he agreed with the premise that students were busy. He stated that the school tries to let students out by six on Wednesdays, but could look into ending practices earlier. He stated that he was glad that the state had implemented the yearly down week where activities are prohibited and that he wanted there to be a second down week each year.

The board returned the district’s Title IX LGBT policies back to the policies from 2020, due to an ongoing injunction. The board approved an athletic training support contract for Jet PHysical Therapy and a behavioral health services contract with River Hills Community Health Center.

The News-Review asked Hatfield about progress on the elementary infrastructure project. Hatfield stated the project was nearing completion and that power, HVAC and water had all been installed. At the time of the meeting, the biggest remaining hurdle was having the fire marshall come in to approve the building. Hatfield stated he planned to start school on time and that, worst case scenario, school would only be delayed a day or two. After this summer’s work is done, the two-year project should be 90% completed.