The program, which is slated to be available for the 2025-26 school year, would include after-school care.
The gist
According to district documents, the program would utilize space in the CISD administration building for childcare of children ages infant to 2 years old. The after-school program would be established on elementary school campuses for staff and potentially CISD families.
“I think this can offer numerous benefits to both our staff and to the district,” Superintendent Jeremy Glenn said. “We would set it up as an enterprise fund, but we would pass on the cost of running the facility to our staff.”
Glenn said the district could provide childcare to staff members at a lower cost than what would be comparable on the private market.
Zooming in
Glenn said there are numerous reasons why the district wants to offer childcare on site to employees, such as:
- Making the district more attractive to new hires
- Helping staff members reduce stress knowing their children are close by
- Increasing productivity by reducing absenteeism due to childcare issues
- The childcare program would be a gateway to the district’s 3-year-old program
- Kids in after-school programs feel more connected to the school community
- Homework and tutoring help
Lannen added another benefit to the program is that high school Career and Technical Education students could work in the program and learn how to run a daycare center.
“It’s literally how to run a business,” Lannen said. “We can have a curriculum where [students] can get certified in that area, too. I can’t see a downside to it.”
Executive Director of Communications Jeff Brady said via email that while the cost to staff members and the number of children who could be registered in the program is unclear at this time, the preliminary plan is to have it available in August.
