Efforts to improve early childhood education programming in the Keokuk Community School District continue after a public forum was held on June 2 at Torrence on the need to move the preschool and plans for additional renovations.
“It’s important to give our school community a voice,” Dr. Kathy Dinger, KCSD superintendent, said. “One way or another, we need to provide healthy, appropriate, and engaging classrooms for our youngest learners.”
Currently housed at Torrence School, the preschool program provides half-day programming to more than 80, three and and four year olds each school year. Torrence, originally built in 1924, is the oldest building in the district that is still in use, and is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. It is a two-story building, which limits expansion of the preschool program due to fire code guidelines that restrict use to only the first floor by younger students.
The KCSD community was surveyed in 2023, identifying a new preschool and renovation of Calvert Stadium as two of its priorities. Phase I was initiated in 2024 and saw installation of turf and a new running track at Calvert Stadium. Phase II will address Calvert Stadium and relocation of the preschool. To jump start these plans, the district gathered construction estimates, worked to locate possible preschool sites, and ended up purchasing buildings located on North 17th Street in Keokuk to support development of the new preschool and house staff currently in offices on the second floor of Torrence.
“We have several options for the public to consider that would create long-term stability for our students and families and demonstrate the district’s commitment to improvement,” Dinger added.
The cost to renovate the planned new KCSD preschool building, previously the Community Health Center, has been estimated at $4 million. Alternatively, the district has discussed developing an early childhood center for preschool and kindergarten children at the George Washington Elementary School.
Additional renovation plans include phase two of Calvert Stadium to improve accessibility, storage, concessions, seating, bathrooms and more, which is estimated to cost $5.3 million. The district plans to kick off a capital campaign in the fall to offset those costs. More information will be released as it they are available.
