MANCHESTER, Mo. – A proposed early childhood center that was to be built between Wren Hollow Elementary and Southwest Middle School in Manchester is no longer moving forward.

“Nothing against the early childhood center,” Sabrena Conine said. “It’s great and it’s needed. But not here. Not in this spot.”

In November 2022, Parkway voters overwhelmingly voted in support of Prop S, with plans to build an early childhood center in the 63021 zip code.

“We’ve not heard opposition to early childhood,” Parkway Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty said. “Neighbors have been supportive. They had legitimate concerns, and we understand that.”

Neighbors voiced concerns to the board of education about traffic congestion. A traffic study was done confirming the claim had validity.

“We’re not going to build the facility as we had planned there,” Marty said. “But we are going to look at short-term remedies and longer-term planning to see what we can do long-term.”

For now, the $26 million center remains on hold; and so are the funds, until a suitable plan or site is chosen.

“The money dictated by the bond campaign several years ago will be directed to early childhood in some way,” Marty said. “Whether it’s a new facility or reconstructing existing facilities, we’ll devote that money because that’s what the voters voted on in 2022.”

The Parkway superintendent says long term they’re looking at early childhood as part of the Parkway facilities 2050 initiative.

“We’ve been looking at ways to deal from bond to bond,” Marty said. “But I think we need to think more definitely for all our children throughout the whole district.”

“We’re very concerned about traffic,” Don Conine said. “I live down on the corner and we knew it would be a lot more traffic. For the safety of our kids and the green space of our kids. I’ve got a grandson that goes to this school. We’re very happy that the Parkway School Board has made this decision.”

Updates on short- and long-term initiatives will be shared on the district website.