Parkway School District (Source: Provided)
Almost a year after plans to build a new early childhood center in the Parkway School District were cancelled, school board officials voted to purchase and renovate a building at a new site in order to expand access for young learners in the district.
The Parkway Board of Education voted unanimously at its Dec. 10 meeting to purchase the Raintree School property at 2100 S. Mason Road in Town & Country, a press release announcing the decision stated.
In November 2022, Parkway voters approved a bond issue called Proposition S that included funding to expand access to early childhood education. Since then, Parkway has been working to honor that commitment in a way that is fiscally responsible, responsive to community feedback, and focused on student needs, officials said.
“We are excited to have found this unique opportunity to create more space to serve our youngest learners as well as deliver on our commitment to the 2022 bond initiative that our voters approved,” Superintendent Dr. Melissa Schneider said.
The facility currently operates as Raintree School and is specifically designed for children under age 5. According to the press release, the building includes approximately 12,000 square feet of space, eight classrooms, a multipurpose room, art room, kitchen and eating area. It sits on 11 acres with natural features that support developmentally appropriate teaching, therapies and play.
Beginning in August 2026, Parkway officials said they plan to relocate early childhood classrooms currently housed at Barretts Elementary into the new center, allowing preschoolers to learn in a facility tailored to their age and developmental needs.
“We are pleased to be able to expand early childhood education in Parkway with this acquisition,” Board President Jeff Todd said. “We have more work to do, but this new facility will add significant opportunities for the youngest learners in our community.”
The additional center will allow Parkway to reduce the number of families on waitlists, particularly in the south part of the district where demand is high, officials said.
The purchase of the Mason Road facility will be funded entirely with $4.3 million in bond dollars that voters approved specifically for early childhood facilities. Another $1.89 million will be spent on building renovations, such as elevator installation, roof repairs and HVAC work. The press release stated that the district is using restricted capital funds that cannot be used for salaries or day-to-day operating costs.
After the purchase, accessibility improvements, playground work and other renovations, approximately $17.7 million of the early childhood bond funds, will remain reserved for future early childhood facility needs, guided by the district’s long-range Facilities 2050 planning process, officials said.
Prior to purchasing this site, Parkway developed plans to construct a new early childhood center on Wren Avenue in Manchester. Those plans were halted nearly a year ago after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, safety and loss of green space. Over the coming months, officials said the district will begin planning for renovations and the transition of early childhood programs into the new facility to prepare for the 2026-27 school year.
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