(Atlantic) Dan Haynes, Executive Director of the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, appearing in front of the Atlantic School Board on Wednesday, expressed his interest in hearing from all board members regarding the district’s notice to vacate the space currently used by the “infant” room at the Early Learning Center.
Haynes says he appreciates the long-standing sharing spaces at the ELC and Wickman Center complex as outlined in the agreement dated July 20, 2013, by Haynes and then-current superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein. Haynes said the understanding was that the School District provided a classroom for the YMCA’s use as an infant room and the gym as a shared space for both entities. The YMCA offers the entire playground space for mutual use by both parties. A benefit for both parties.
Haynes said they would like to continue this agreement and help find a better solution so that this sharing agreement can occur and our community families can benefit. Haynes would like to sit down and discuss a reversal of this decision.
Haynes said if a reversal of the decision to vacate still stands, he would respectfully agree to follow the parameters, set our surrender of the space, and terminate the agreement for June 1, 2024, rather than December 15, 2023, set forth by the School District. The date follows the agreement guidelines. It also gives the YMCA time to relocate 21 babies and the district time to arrange alternate playground space for their preschoolers. He said the 120-day notice before the end of the current school year was explicitly included to respectfully avoid undue burden on either party to relocate on short notice.
Haynes thanked the district for their partnership over the years. The YMCA would be happy to discuss either entity’s questions, find a win/win solution, or discuss details of vacating the room by June 1, 2024.
Haynes spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. School Board members did not comment.
