Longview Early Childhood Center to help low-income families with new building

LONGVIEW, Texas ( KETK ) – Longview ISD announced that they will be building a new location for the Playing For Keeps (PFK) Early Childhood Center.

According to a release, Longview’s former Jodie McClure Elementary that was demolished in 2010 left behind unused land. In May 2022, Longview ISD’s assistant superintendent of finance Dr. Wayne Guidry, opened discussion to use the land for a new early childhood center.

“This property has sufficient space for the Early Childhood Learning Center, and the administration recommends that site,” Guidry said. “Of course, we will work with the architects to determine the precise layout and location of the facilities, but our preliminary plan is for the campus entry to face the intersection of Estes Parkway and Mobberly Avenue.”

According to the release, the new center will alleviate the waitlist for current programs that benefit low-income families trying to access child care. As a part of a proposition passed in May, the new facility is expected to include 30 classrooms, a library, a kitchen and a gymnasium.

Longview ISD said that once the new facility opens, the existing PFK Early Childhood Center building will be used to create space for the districts technology and special education departments.

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