Isabella Loy reports on a dispute between Island County and a preschool for the Stanwood Camano News.
Springwood Forest School on Camano Island opened its doors in January 2022. Just about two years later, the school is facing permanent closure unless an agreement is reached with Island County.
Eighteen students between the ages of 2 and a half and 5 currently attend Springwood’s full-day, year-round outdoor preschool. Another 12 attend a part-time program for ages 5 to 11.
If an agreement cannot be reached, all students will need to find another form of child care by the school’s closing date of Feb. 29.
The school is an outdoor, nature-based program and is not connected to the Stanwood-Camano School District.
They Said It
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair said Heather and Andy White came to Island County in 2021 and asked if they could form a partnership through a usage agreement at Four Springs.
The commissioners and the park manager supported the partnership at the time, St. Clair said, but it soon became apparent that the preschool could not operate on the grounds because of issues and damages that were occurring….
St. Clair said in an email that she was out of office as this issue was unfolding and when Springwood was served with a letter to vacate Four Springs by Feb. 29.
She said she is heartsick for the staff and families of Springwood and is working to make sure the county can find a way to support the school’s model of care.
“We have identified a location for the child care center near Elger Bay,” St. Clair said in an email. “We believe it is a better fit because it is not a preserve, which has specific land use restrictions as we have at Four Springs. It also has a built-in outdoor amphitheater and a covered structure for inclement weather.”
St. Clair said she hopes to expedite the process of licensing through the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.
