District Eyes Bannach for New 4K Program
By Jacob Mathias
A 4K program housed at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church is closing in June and the school district is seeking a replacement program in the neighborhood.
The kindergarten program is closing in June and district leaders are eyeing a mobile classroom unit at Bannach Elementary School as a new 4K location.
There are 18 existing 4K sites throughout the Stevens Point School District. Superintendent Attila Weninger said the Holy Redeemer location was no longer suitable due to “space issues”, but its closure also leaves a void in the area.
No 4K program has been approved for the site and the district will soon requesting proposals for the location.
“We need a presence in that part of the district and we don’t have one,” Weninger said. “If you take that away, there’s a big gap in that area of the district.”
An existing mobile classroom unit at Bannach houses an early childhood education program and has available space for both morning and afternoon 4K sessions.
In February, the Redeemer 4K announced it would close because the church could no longer facilitate the program in the space available. Busing is available for students to attend the other 4k sites in the district, including the Bannach mobile unit which could be the next closest option.
“It’s taking a long, complicated frustrating process and has a very simple and logical solution,” said Board Member Angel Faxon.
“That 4K program at Redeemer worked very closely with that Early Childhood program in order to provide collaboration for those kids,” said Weninger. “It was an important kind of blending and partnership.”
4K Principal Sherrie Stanczyk said having the trailer is designed to provide a smooth transition for young students currently in the EC program. Stanczyk said there are “three or four 4K sites near the YMCA and St. Stanislaus Elementary School”, but only the Redeemer location is near Bannach.