Access to affordable child care is a concern for Juneau parents. Should the Juneau School District look for more ways to address the issue? If so, how? If not, why?

  • School Board

    • Paul Kelly

      Candidate for School Board

      Yes, but I don’t think the School District should go it alone. Supporting access to affordable child care is a concern of the whole community, and preparing students to enter the school system is of particular concern to the School District. Therefore, I propose that we work together with the Assembly and with community partners to jointly support early childhood development and child care.

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    • Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon

      Candidate for School Board

      Yes! Learning begins well before a child enters a Pre-K program or Kindergarten. At the same time, the majority of parents in our community need to work to support their families, therefore childcare is a critical piece of Juneau’s economic viability. The School District therefore should support community efforts that affect the quality of childcare programs and ask advice from organizations such as the Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC). The Juneau childcare system has deficiencies in access, affordability, and quality — all of which impact kindergarten readiness.

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    • Kevin Allen

      Candidate for School Board

      The district passed a resolution to acknowledge that child care in Juneau is important, but I think a partnership could be found with any aspiring organization that is looking to offer child care. If we cannot find an organization to partner with then I believe, as a person that benefited from child care as a child, then we must investigate ways to expand programs like R.A.L.L.Y. in the district to compensate the recent closure of independent child care organizations.

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