The Front Door Community Center will become the new home of the Parent-Teacher Resource Center, operated by Great Bend USD 428. The City Council voted 5-3 on Monday to lease a portion of the facility to the school district. In doing so, the council opted not to seek requests for proposals from entities wanting to use the space for daycare services. A motion to that effect failed on a 4-5 vote, with Mayor Cody Schmidt breaking a tie.

Those were the options presented by City Administrator Logan Burns. Part of the Front Door was originally intended to be a daycare center.

Since 2009, the City has leased it to the Great Bend Children’s Learning Center for that purpose. 

Over the past several years, the utilization went from year-round to only in the summer months due to staffing issues, Burns said. The City only received rent payments of $300 during the three months it was in use. This summer, the building is not being used for daycare.

The school district approached the City about leasing the property and moving the PTRC from its location at the Washington Early Education Center because USD 428 is considering razing the oldest part of that building and would face construction challenges if it wants to keep the adjoining PTRC. It serves as a free workspace/resource for educators, offering a space for creating projects and accessing materials. It may also be used by parents and the community for a fee of $5 per hour plus the cost of supplies. The PTRC provides die-cut patterns, craft supplies and equipment for various projects, such as bulletin boards and posters. It also houses a Spanish and bilingual library for checkout by anybody in the community.

Monday’s vote did not specify how much the City will charge for rent. Now that the council has voted to move forward with USD 428, the administration will prepare a lease agreement to bring back to the council for consideration.

How they voted

Councilwoman Jolene Biggs made the initial motion, which was to put out a request for proposals. She asked if it was true that Great Bend still faces a shortage of available daycare and the answer was affirmative.

“If there is still a need, I think we should at least put out an RFP,” she said.

Those voting for the motion were Biggs, Rickee Maddox, Kevyn Soupiset and Davis Jimenez. Voting against it were Alan Moeder, Cory Urban, Gary Parr and Tina Mingenback. With his tie-breaking “no” vote, Schmidt said, “Give it to 428.”

Audience member Brad Shirer, who had addressed the council earlier in the meeting, spoke out, saying, “It’s a conflict of interest.” Schmidt works for the school district.

City Attorney Allen Glendenning said this was not a conflict but pointed out that the vote was for whether or not to accept RFPs for daycare.

A new motion was made by Urban to lease the facility to USD 428. Those voting in favor were Maddox, Moeder, Urban, Parr and Mingenback, with Biggs, Soupiset and Jimenez voting against the motion.

The issues

Shirer is the treasurer of First Congregational Church of Christ, which previously rented part of its property to USD 428 for the Little Panthers Preschool. Shortly before the meeting, when Superintendent Khris Thexton arrived, Shirer was overheard telling Thexton the PTRC would be welcome in that now-vacant area.

When he addressed the council, Shirer recommended looking at RFPs.

“I think you’d be surprised if you put out an RFP, how many people are looking to start a daycare. We’ve been approached three different times. Unfortunately, we can’t lease to anybody if they are a for-profit. You don’t have that issue.”

Thexton was asked if there is a pressing need to move into the facility.

“We’re not in a rush to get into that space,” he said. “If the opportunity comes up, we are ready.” He said the PTRC sees an average of 100 people a day.

During the discussion before motions were made, Biggs said, “I was involved four or five years ago when daycare was such a huge thing. I checked with (Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger) today, and you know, it hasn’t gone away. So although I wouldn’t mind USD 428 using it, it seems that if there is still a need for that, and depending upon what has to be changed in that area, I think we should at least put out an RFP to see if there is any interest.”

In answer to a question, Burns said the area is still adequate for child care. In recent years, it houses an after-school program during the school year, and it was for older children during the summer.

“I think it’s a no-brainer,” Parr said. “I mean, if the school wants to use the property, and we’re not using the property, and we can lease the property to the school at a fair amount – if we feel this is fair – I think it’s a win-win.”

Soupiset said if the City does lease space to a daycare, it can’t be for only three months.

In answer to a question, Burns said no one has approached the City about renting the facility.

Schmidt raised concerns about the quality of offers the City might receive for daycare.

“My concern – I talked to Logan – is, what happens if you get three or four daycares (interested)? How do you decide that? I mean, we know it’s a rental property, and when something happens or somebody doesn’t pay their rent, then what do you do? That’s my only concern.”

“I’m with the Mayor,” Parr said. “I think we’d open a Pandora’s box. You’d have 10 people come in, and then how would you choose? This entity (USD 428) isn’t asking us to go outside the box to think of that and have to make a special ‘well, we had 10 and we flipped a coin and you won.’”

“We’re not obligated until we see our options,” Soupiset said. “There’s no harm in finding them, checking our options.”