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MSD Addresses Childcare Shortage In Steuben County
By: Beth Swary - Wednesday, August 3, 2022

On of the Early Learning Center's Montessori Classrooms. Credit: Beth Swary

ANGOLA - The Metropolitan School District of Steuben County’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Schauna Relue and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Widenhoefer are working towards solutions for the Childcare Shortage in Steuben County.

The information came from a statement from the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County’s Superintendent office on Tuesday, August 2.

In the statement Relue said, “MSD of Steuben County is working hard to do our part to help in addressing the childcare shortage in Steuben County. As a school system, we are able to serve students beginning at age 3 for preschool. In the 2021-22 school year, we opened the Early Learning Center with 60 seats available. We have invested in some additional renovations to classrooms to add 40 more seats allowing us to serve 100 students in our Montessori preschool program. We still have additional renovations that need to be funded to allow us to expand to 120 students for the 2023-2024 school year. We have also partnered with the YMCA to provide summer camp, giving families care for the entire year. We also offer before and after school care, so families can have childcare from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.”

Widenhoefer followed up Relue’s comments with information regarding assistance from the Steuben County Commissioners.

"We currently have 40 families on our waiting list who need financial assistance. A new voucher program is planned to be released in October which would provide funding for these families. MSD has asked the county for financial support to help cover the tuition costs for these families from August through October when these families should become eligible for state vouchers,” said Widenhoefer.

Widenhoefer was granted assistance from the Steuben County Commissioners during their Monday, August 1 meeting.

“We are very excited about being able to support our community with additional high-quality childcare options and appreciate the county commissioners considering our request to partner with the county to continue to grow,” said Widenhoefer.



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