A proposal to cut funding and close the Madison Early Childhood Learning Center at 103 Bahl Ave. has been tabled by the Madison School Board.
  

The board agreed to the decision that was proposed by board president Jeff Meyers before a room of supporters of the learning center at their regular meeting Wednesday night.

 The infant through pre-school daycare and educational program has been funded through a preschool early childhood grant since 1985, which is expiring.
 

Supt. Lee Kaple said the center has been deficit spending in each of the last three years. He said the district has to subsidize those deficits but can no longer afford to do so.

"The program was started with the grant that funded the program and it was the understanding that as long as the program remained self-sufficient it would continue," Kaple said.

"In fiscal year 2010, the deficit spending was $174,484. In 2011, the deficit spending was $89,254 and in 2012 it was $75,062" Kaple said.

Kaple said there have been no reports of mismanagement of funds. He said the learning center's administration has done a great job to keep the costs down.  

"It's difficult and I understand but as a superintendent my obligation is to do what I think is best financially for the district and we can't afford to fund the center," Kaple said.

Kaple said the district spent $2 million more than it was bringing in revenue. He said two years ago the district cut about $800,00 through RIF's and attrition to save money. He said last year the district cut another $700,000 to reduce costs and the district is still in a deficit.

Former learning center program director Yvette Givand told the board they should work with the staff and parents to come up with a plan to keep the center open.

"You have a great stake in this. It's not costing the district any money right now, nor has it during my tenure. Personally I think it is a little bit permature. There are options that be done," Givand said.

"You don't have to make this decision tonight. You have the executive power to make the decision next month. At least have the fortitude to say "We listened to our team.' We're your team. We're not fighting against you. I'm here because I know the sacrifices I made. We're for Madison. We want to make this work," Givand said.

Several parents expressed their concerns and frustrations to the board about the proposed closure of the learning center. Some said they first learned about the closure a day before the board meeting.

Soni Crist, of Mansfield, has two children who attend the center. She told the board the center has made a difference in the lives of her children.

"Since my oldest has been there, the teachers have spent time setting goals and objectives for her. She has learned math concepts, shape and number recognition. The common core standards, Crist said.

Board president Jeff Meyers said the district has been meeting with the administration at the learning center about the issue for sometime.

"I'm glad to see that people come out and address the board about the center. It is an awesome program. There are other districts jealous of us because we have the program. We listened, we heard what the people had to say. I was disappointed someone said they had two days notice the about the proposal to close the center when we've been talking about the issue for a year," Meyers said.

The board has until Jan. 30, 2013 to come up with a plan to save the financial stability of the center.
 

"The only thing that will change our minds is to show us how it can financially support itself. That's what it's always done in the past and that's why it stayed opened," Meyers said.

"We don't think we can ask for a levy to help support the learning center. That just doesn't seem to make good sense and wouldn't be a good decision on this board's part to do that," Meyers said.

Supt. Kaple said most of the funding for the Early Childhood Learning Center comes from fees parents pay, and the understanding when the grant was obtained the center would be self-supporting.