New Hampton Schools to Host Before/After School Program After All

A project that appeared dead two months ago got new life this week.

During their February meeting Monday night, the New Hampton School Board heard the latest pitch by Little Sprouts Children’s Center to partner with the School District to add a before and after school program for three- and four-year-olds.

Little Sprouts Board member Brian Carolan told the School Board that the childcare provider has applied for a $360,000 loan to help get the Middle School weight room remodeled to accommodate about 55 kids. Carolan said more childcare, along with housing, is vital to bring businesses and people to work and live in New Hampton.

Little Sprouts Director Amy Ameling noted that by adding more before and after school childcare will also allow the center, located within First United Methodist Church, to fill the community’s biggest need.

School Superintendent Jay Jurrens told the Board in December it didn’t look promising for the program after it was estimated it would cost about $200,000 to make the Middle School weight room compliant.

If their loan is secured, Little Sprouts would pay half of the remodeling costs and the school district covering $100,000. School Board member Nathanial Schwickerath questioned the expenditure.

After all discussion was finished, Schwickerath still voted yes to a motion that was unanimously approved to have the school district contribute the $100,000 spread out over a five-year period.

The goal is to have the before and after school wraparound program up and running with the start of next school year.