Buckley Early Learning Center to double child care slots

Travis Snyder, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
·2 min read

Apr. 28—BUCKLEY — Buckley Community Schools will start construction this week on an Early Learning Center to serve families of preschool-age students.

The center, at 305 N 1st St., is part of the district's $7.4-million bond proposal that was approved by voters in 2023. School officials, staff, students, and community members celebrated the new construction with a groundbreaking ceremony last week.

The district is "bursting at the seams, and projected to keep growing," Superintendent Jessica Harrand said. "People are finding that it's more affordable to live here, and commute to Traverse City for work."

The bond calls for a replacement preschool building, expansion of the K-12 building (including three new classrooms), increased safety measures and busing improvements. Voters also agreed to a 20-year millage payback.

"Our community has been stellar supportive," Harrand said. "We've passed our bonds by over 75 percent every time. That's a huge commitment to education."

The Early Learning Center will be large enough to house double the current number of pre-K students. Harrand said that, once completed, they hope to serve 36 students. The current building — formerly a canning site constructed in the 1940s — can serve 18 students.

The district plans to keep the current structure, which is considered a historic building by the district and community.

Another priority is security, as the new building will have updated features, such as vestibules, to impede potential intruders.

In her address to attendees, Buckley's Board of Education President Sara Snider said this project not only benefits young students, but the community at large.

"We are thankful for the community's continued support of our school system," Snider said. "This allows parents to continue to work locally, or live close to where their child attends school."

It also will help businesses that can't fill openings because potential employees need child care, Harrand said. "It benefits the community member who can't afford to drive all the way into [Traverse City] for a minimum-wage job, but if they could work close and have daycare close ... it's truly a benefit for everybody. That's my favorite part."

For the second phase of the project, the district plans to repair the gymnasium roof. Adding three classrooms and expanding the cafeteria will be phase three. Later projects are expected to start in 2025.