On Tuesday evening, I listened to our president’s State of the Union address. Among other things, he expressed the importance of making early childhood education an opportunity for all children. On Wednesday evening, I was back in my kitchen listening to KHNS again, and learned the Haines Borough Assembly voted to end Chilkat Valley Preschool’s lease on the borough building they call home. Ending the lease was not a surprise to me. I have understood for some time that the preschool would need to find a new location. I actually attended preschool in that same building. I also understand why the assembly voted to end CVP’s lease. The building is visibly falling down. What shocked me was that the lease would end in June! I could not believe the irony: One evening I was feeling encouraged that our president was supporting early childhood education and the next evening I was rattled that our local government essentially kicked the preschool out. My older daughter started attending CVP last year. I could not be more pleased with the education she is receiving from the loving and patient teachers. I follow the local news and politics closely in our town. How is it possible that it has taken the borough assembly months to hire a new police chief and borough manager but during one meeting CVP is asked to leave their building in five months? As a parent to young children in town, this is very upsetting to me.
Sarah Elliott