The Parkway School District Board of Education announced on Nov. 13 that it will no longer move forward with plans to build a new early childhood center in the southern part of the district.
A statement from Parkway explained that the district had determined that the proposed $26 million center, intended to be built on land between Wren Hollow Elementary and Southwest Middle School in Manchester, was no longer feasible. However, the district emphasized its ongoing commitment to addressing early childhood education needs and will continue to explore alternative solutions.
In November 2022, Parkway voters approved Prop S, which included funding for the new early childhood center in the 63021 zip code area. But concerns over traffic, raised by residents near the proposed site, were validated by a Parkway traffic study.
Board President Jeff Todd said, “Our community has been clear: high-quality early childhood education is a priority, and it’s one that the Board of Education fully shares. While our initial site posed unexpected challenges, including traffic and neighborhood concerns, we are committed to finding viable solutions.” He added that funds approved through Prop S would be reserved for early childhood projects once a suitable site is identified.
During a meeting with the West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 15, Parkway Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty said the district is closely monitoring enrollment trends. He also noted that the district continues to have waiting lists for its early childhood programs.
Parkway’s press release highlighted the growing demand for early childhood spaces, stating, “Hundreds of families are on waitlists each year, and operating early childhood classrooms at satellite locations creates inefficiencies.” Currently, early childhood classrooms are located in four elementary schools in the south area, requiring staff to travel between locations.
The district also cited challenges with other Parkway-owned properties and the lack of available land as reasons why no immediate solution has been found.
In response, Manchester city officials announced they would continue a comprehensive traffic assessment of the Wren Avenue area. The city also expects Parkway to formally withdraw its project application from the Planning and Zoning Department.
The city expressed its appreciation for the partnership with Parkway and for community involvement in the planning process.
To address the growing demand for early childhood education, Parkway said it has launched a South Area Early Childhood Workgroup. This group will explore short-term ways to increase capacity and access for families in the south area. Long-term, Parkway’s Facilities 2050 initiative will continue to prioritize early childhood education.
Dr. Marty reaffirmed, “Early childhood education gives our students an important foundation, and it remains a top priority. Our commitment to expanding and improving early learning opportunities hasn’t changed. We’re actively working on plans to give our youngest learners the spaces they need to thrive.”
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