Photo by Holly Allen – USD 340’s new preschool director Brie Wilson and elementary school Principal Wes Sturgeon check out the progress of the playground being built outside the district’s new preschool in Ozawkie.
by Holly Allen
Administrators at USD 340 have been hard at work over the past couple of years to bring to the district something it has never had — it’s very own preschool program. Their efforts will soon see results as Jefferson West has announced the program will begin this fall with its first preschool class at Ozawkie.
The district has leased its former elementary building in Ozawkie to John Dewey Learning Academy and Keystone Learning Services for decades. While the former has been relocated to Oskaloosa, Keystone will maintain its offices at Ozawkie for now, sharing the space with the new early learning center.
Brie Wilson, who lives within the district, has been hired as preschool director to oversee the operation. Wilson taught nine years for the Topeka Public School district as a preschool interventionist. She has spent the past four years in a blended classroom, combining general education students with those in individualized education programs. The Jefferson West district has chosen to go that route, as well, with all preschool children (aged 3 to 4) learning together.
Though USD 340 partnered with Head Start in 1996 and continues to utilize Keystone for special education initiatives and at-risk students, the district has never had its own preschool program. When Superintendent Brad Neuenswander, an Ozawkie resident himself, began his tenure in 2023 as interim superintendent, he made it clear a preschool was at the top of list of priorities.
“Research has consistently shown that investing in early childhood has proven to provide our young children with the best opportunity for success when entering kindergarten,” stated Neuenswander. “Other than Creche Academy in Meriden, Jeff West youth have very little access to a high quality early learning experience. Providing that experience has been a priority of the Jeff West school board.”
And when the new school board came in last year, they supported this initiative. With everyone on board, elementary Principal Wes Sturgeon has led the charge in turning ideas into action.
“We might be the only school in northeast Kansas without its own preschool program,” Sturgeon said. “It’s time to provide our own foundation to our school system.”
Sturgeon has technically been part of the Jeff West family since 1972 when he began his education as a kindergartner in Tiger country. He was hired as a fifth-grade teacher in 2005 and became elementary principal in 2011, a position he has held since.
“I’m incredibly invested here. My grandparents, parents, and I — we all came from here. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the team working to make this new addition at Ozawkie a reality,” said Sturgeon.
Classroom Transformation
Aesthetic changes will be made to convert the former high school-level classrooms into preschool-friendly spaces. The team hopes to remove the locks from the lockers and repurpose them as cubbies.
According to Sturgeon, Keystone has done a great job of maintaining the building, which mostly needs just a deep cleaning and some fresh paint.
Outside, the most visible change will be the installation of a two-story playground and a paved tricycle track. The playground comes to the district through a federal obesity grant to provide exercise opportunities for youth. The grant funded $75,000 of the cost, with the district covering the remaining $75,000. The area will be turfed, thanks to local contractor Mammoth Construction, who came in $35,000 lower than the next competitive bid.
Program Structure and Enrollment
In response to a community survey, full-day preschool emerged as a high need. Jefferson West will offer both full- and half-day options. The morning will emphasize math, science, phonemic awareness, and social-emotional learning. The afternoon will focus on play-based exploration, enrichment, and rest.
Lunch, cooked in a central kitchen at the high school in Meriden, will be delivered to the preschool at Ozawkie each day and served family-style in the classrooms.
Based on current interest, the school is planning for an inaugural class of 50 to 60 students, with a target of 15 students per classroom. This structure allows room for enrollment expansion at semester, if needed.
The building has six sizeable classrooms. One will serve as a special education resource room, and another as a flexible space for library time, media, specials, sensory/motor skills, and general exploration. A small room will serve as a quiet space, and the on-site kitchenette will be integrated into the curriculum.
“We are learning as we go, but we hope to truly integrate the preschool into the rest of the district,” Sturgeon said. “We’re hopeful that high school students on alternative pathways—especially those interested in early education—will benefit from this opportunity.”
The state will provide funding for at-risk students. Those on a general education track will be charged a fee of $750 for full-day or $350 for a half-day students, regardless of whether they attend as peer models. The school district will supplement the program with funding until it is self sufficient.
“This is not about making a profit,” said Sturgeon. “This is an educational and staffing opportunity and a way to further enhance what we already offer.”
Leadership and Vision
Wilson, the new preschool director, brings extensive early childhood education experience and will implement the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum. She also emphasizes character development and social-emotional growth to help build a strong foundation for 3- and 4-year-olds.
“Honestly, whatever gets each student to learn best, that’s what we will do,” Wilson said. “I’m so excited to dig in and see what good can be done here. I have a lot of ideas.”
The school has hired Edna Wells, with 13 years of experience, and Holly Ann Abel, with five years of experience, as teachers. Paraprofessional support is also being sought. Pending enrollment, more teachers will be hired as needed.
This first year will be a learning experience for the district, its staff, and the students. Sturgeon said future years will likely bring adjustments and additions to the program.
One initiative under discussion is the development of a daycare program within the building. The proposed expansion would meet a community need, build on early learning foundations, support staff recruitment and retention, and potentially strengthen the district’s early education pathway.
The district also plans to eventually update the gymnasium and locker rooms in the Ozawkie building, with the goal of bringing those facilities back into regular use for Tiger athletics.
For now, USD 340 has a clear goal: a successful first year back at Ozawkie.
“Jefferson West desperately needed a preschool and we are lucky to have this building,” said Sturgeon. “We are happy to bring it back to the district, and bring part of the district back to Ozawkie.”