Board approves YMCA MOU addendum to expand early-learning care at Lake and Mark Twain

The St. Joseph School District Board unanimously approved an addendum to its memorandum of understanding with the YMCA to expand early-learning and before/after care in the district.

Tammy Kellen of the YMCA presented the proposal: each site would operate within state licensing ratios (1:10) and the district and YMCA said they would cap active classroom attendance at 20 students at a time though enrollment totals across shifts could be higher. The arrangement would not cost the district; the YMCA will manage staffing, licensing and any incremental costs.

Board members asked practical questions about licensing, staffing, fee subsidies and whether the program could expand more quickly if demand required it; YMCA representatives said they are prepared to accelerate implementation pending licensing and space readiness.

Next steps: The YMCA and district will finalize licensing revisions for the selected classrooms, publicize enrollment and financial assistance options, and begin programming at Lake with a target to expand to Mark Twain as classrooms and licensing allow.