07/16/2025
CORRECTION: August Daycare Opening “Out of the Question,” Keota Principal Says
By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
This story initially ran with an error in its headline, stating that the preschool, rather than the daycare, would not open in August. In reality, the preschool will open on schedule in August. In addition, the fifth paragraph of this story mistakenly referred to there being a high number of applicants at the daycare, when in reality, there was a high number of applicants at the preschool. The News-Review apologizes for these errors and any confusion this may have caused.
KEOTA – During the July 10 meeting of the Keota School Board, Elementary Principal Seth Milledge stated that it would be difficult to have the planned daycare open by August, due to the Keokuk County Childcare Network lacking the necessary startup funds. He explained that the network had received fairly large donations, but had not reached their goal of $140,000, only having raised around $20,000. Milledge stated that they likely could open the Keota daycare with just $75,000, but that they want “extra cushioning” to fall back on. He explained that KCCN was working with KCEF to establish tax incentives for donations, which they hope will drive up donations.
Milledge stated that the only issue he can see with construction is getting a fire marshal visit done. He explained that daycares have the same state standards as schools, but that a different inspection would be needed and it would take 60-90 days for a fire marshal visit, meaning that an August start was “out of the question.”
Milledge stated that he had spoken to other schools about the costs of adding a kitchen to the classrooms that will be converted into a daycare and was now exploring the possibility of instead using the cafeteria kitchen for the daycare. New superintendent Dave Harper stated that they would make the kitchen work. Milledge stated that they would use the area set aside in the daycare rooms for a kitchen for a fridge and storage and that they could add a stove later if needed. Board member Erin McGuire asked if the classrooms set aside for the daycare would be used by the elementary and Milledge explained that classes had already shifted over. He stated that they were ready for whenever the daycare opened.
Also at the Thursday meeting, the board approved a new cell phone policy to match state requirements. Milledge explained that elementary students are not allowed to have cell phones in classrooms at all and are required to stow them in bags or lockers. If a student has a phone during class, it will be taken away for the remainder of the day. After the second offense, a parent will be required to meet with the school and come in to pick up the phone. After the third offense, students will be required to turn the phone into the office every day. New High School Principal Heather Rosewall explained that the high school policies were similar, except students will be allowed to have their phone on their person but will only be allowed to take them out during lunch. In addition, students will serve detention after their third offense.
Milledge stated that, due to the high number of applicants for the preschool, he had had to send out a waiting list. He stated this was rough to do and that he hated to turn kids away, but that they had already reached the caps of 16 three-year-olds and 19 four-year-olds. He stated that they wanted to service Keota and prioritized spots for Keota children, children of Keota school staff, or children with siblings enrolled at Keota.
The board approved spending $3,694 to purchase new nutrition management software from Meal Magic, because the company that made the district’s old software is going out of business. HR Director Missy Sellers explained that the new handbooks reverted back last year’s Title IX protections for transgender students and changed the bullying and harassment definitions to remove language calling it bullying to harass someone based on traits like race, gender identity or sexuality, in accordance with new state policies. Harper explained that the district’s policies now just define bullying as persistent behavior that causes an impact on academic learning. Harper stated he was exploring solar options for the school to reduce the general fund costs. Harper stated he was calling families who had open enrolled out of the school and asking why they had left, and that many of them stated it was because of the district’s lack of a daycare. Milledge stated he was exploring the third stage of the playground project, which would add new equipment for fourth through sixth graders, and that costs had come back cheaper than expected, at an estimate of $166,000 compared to the initial $183,000 estimate from two years ago; Milledge stated it would likely cost $225,000 total with the concrete and dirt work and that he was hoping to get a Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant to cover part of the cost.
August Daycare Opening “Out of the Question,” Keota Principal Says
By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
This story initially ran with an error in its headline, stating that the preschool, rather than the daycare, would not open in August. In reality, the preschool will open on schedule in August. In addition, the fifth paragraph of this story mistakenly referred to their being a high number of applicants at the daycare, when in reality, there was a high number of applicants at the preschool. The News-Review apologizes for these errors.
KEOTA – During the July 10 meeting of the Keota School Board, Elementary Principal Seth Milledge stated that it would be difficult to have the planned daycare open by August, due to the Keokuk County Childcare Network lacking the necessary startup funds. He explained that the network had received fairly large donations, but had not reached their goal of $140,000, only having raised around $20,000. Milledge stated that they likely could open the Keota daycare with just $75,000, but that they want “extra cushioning” to fall back on. He explained that KCCN was working with KCEF to establish tax incentives for donations, which they hope will drive up donations.
Milledge stated that the only issue he can see with construction is getting a fire marshal visit done. He explained that daycares have the same state standards as schools, but that a different inspection would be needed and it would take 60-90 days for a fire marshal visit, meaning that an August start was “out of the question.”
Milledge stated that he had spoken to other schools about the costs of adding a kitchen to the classrooms that will be converted into a daycare and was now exploring the possibility of instead using the cafeteria kitchen for the daycare. New superintendent Dave Harper stated that they would make the kitchen work. Milledge stated that they would use the area set aside in the daycare rooms for a kitchen for a fridge and storage and that they could add a stove later if needed. Board member Erin McGuire asked if the classrooms set aside for the daycare would be used by the elementary and Milledge explained that classes had already shifted over. He stated that they were ready for whenever the daycare opened.
Also at the Thursday meeting, the board approved a new cell phone policy to match state requirements. Milledge explained that elementary students are not allowed to have cell phones in classrooms at all and are required to stow them in bags or lockers. If a student has a phone during class, it will be taken away for the remainder of the day. After the second offense, a parent will be required to meet with the school and come in to pick up the phone. After the third offense, students will be required to turn the phone into the office every day. New High School Principal Heather Rosewall explained that the high school policies were similar, except students will be allowed to have their phone on their person, but will only be allowed to take them out during lunch. In addition, students will serve detention after their third offense.
Milledge stated that, due to the high number of applicants for the preschool, he had had to send out a waiting list. He stated this was rough to do and that he hated to turn kids away, but that they had already reached the caps of 16 three-year-olds and 19 four-year-olds. He stated that they wanted to service Keota and prioritized spots for Keota children, children of Keota school staff, or children with siblings enrolled at Keota.
The board approved spending $3,694 to purchase new nutrition management software from Meal Magic, because the company that made the district’s old software is going out of business. HR Director Missy Sellers explained that the new handbooks reverted back last year’s Title IX protections for transgender students and changed the bullying and harassment definitions to remove language calling it bullying to harass someone based on traits like race, gender identity or sexuality, in accordance with new state policies. Harper explained that the district’s policies now just define bullying as persistent behavior that causes an impact on academic learning. Harper stated he was exploring solar options for the school to reduce the general fund costs. Harper stated he was calling families who had open enrolled out of the school and asking why they had left, and that many of them stated it was because of the district’s lack of a daycare. Milledge stated he was exploring the third stage of the playground project, which would add new equipment for fourth through sixth graders, and that costs had come back cheaper than expected, at an estimate of $166,000 compared to the initial $183,000 estimate from two years ago; Milledge stated it would likely cost $225,000 total with the concrete and dirt work and that he was hoping to get a Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant to cover part of the cost.
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