Using part of the Emerson Hough Elementary School building in Newton for daycare operated by the Newton YMCA is something the Newton School Board will be talking more about during tonight’s regular school board meeting. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger and Newton YMCA Chief Executive Officer George Sorensen have been putting together a rough draft of a lease agreement during the past week, after the school board unanimously supported pursuing a lease agreement during a special board meeting last Monday night. Newton School Board President Robyn Friedman noted the school district could benefit from the community having more daycare spaces.

“What we are kind of saying is that part of the intention of this partnership would be a goal to increase, for the school district, the number of students that would be coming to our community.”

The YMCA is interested in relocating and expanding its daycare operations to the Emerson Hough Building next year. This is the final school year for that building and Woodrow Wilson Elementary. By next August, the Newton School District will have completed the transition from four to two elementary buildings. 

Tonight’s Newton School Board Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the EJH Beard Administration Center at 1302 First Avenue East.