EVERETT — Everett Community College will not shut its Early Learning Center, an on-campus childcare that serves the infants and young children of college students and staff, now that Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers packaged a deal to help financially sustain the center for the 2022-2023 school year.
According to a press release from the college, the county’s funding will include up to $140,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act for 2022-23. Another $60,000 in annual operating costs will be covered by funding from the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA), which are Sound Transit-related funds earmarked to improve educational outcomes for kids.
Communications show the county first approached the college on Dec. 10 committing to give financial assistance to keep the center to prior college president Daria Willis. It went unanswered before she exited EvCC for a new job. Weeks later, Somers wrote with alarm after being informed the college determined Jan 25 to close the center. In mid-November, Willis announced the closure and that a nonprofit organization stepped up to possibly take over the space. Seven days later, while protestors rallied in opposition, the college’s board said it would pause on a decision to seek funding.
