on the cover / By Japhet Weeks

Zoned For Kids

Hard-pressed Humboldt preschools may soon find some relief

(Feb. 14, 2008) Last Wednesday, Hilary Mosher, director of the Strongbridge Montessori School in McKinleyville, tried to explain to her students the bind their school is in. The building she’s been operating out of for the past two years was sold recently and she has until to the end of February to relocate.

Mosher sat on a short wooden stool in a bright yellow frock. The white-haired preschool teacher bears an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Maria Montessori, the woman who created the innovative pedagogy Mosher uses day in and day out.

Reading at Strongbridge Montessory School. Photo by Yulia Weeks.

GALLERY >

There were unusually few students in class that day due to what Mosher described as an “epidemic of sickness.” But the four who were there (out of a total enrollment of 20) sat next to one another at the edge of a blue circle taped onto the carpet. Sometimes they squirmed out of the lotus position Mosher had instructed them to sit in, but for the most part they listened attentively as their teacher spoke.

“We’re having a little trouble about having to move out,” she explained in a soft but authoritative voice. “Not enough preschools,” she said and the students nodded as though they understood perfectly.

But how could they? The difficulties that Mosher and other early childhood educators in the county face when it comes to finding a place to open a school, or relocate an existing one, are not what you’d expect. It is not David versus Goliath. The system is not horribly broken. And there is no one readily available in the county government to point fingers at. In Mosher’s case, some of the difficulties she’s had to overcome are partially her own fault.

It is a matter of complicated logistics. At the heart of the problem is the county’s general plan, which, as it stands, requires early childhood educators to apply for a conditional use permit in order to operate schools in residential zones. Although that sounds pretty innocuous, the process can be time-consuming and costly — and many say it’s an unnecessary burden to foist on educators who are already overworked and underpaid.

But it may not be that way forever, especially if the Work-Life Alliance, a collaborative group that includes childcare advocates and employer organizations, is successful in its efforts to amend the general plan. A year from now, it may be significantly easier for early childhood educators to start up shop. The changes the Work-Life Alliance is proposing would enable small child care centers and preschools (serving up to 15 students) to be principally permitted in residential zones. In short, no more conditional use permits. The future neighbors of these childcare centers might not be so happy about that, but early childhood educators are giddy.

Still, Mosher isn’t holding her breath.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NEXT PAGE >SHARE