With the realignment of classes at other attendance centers in recent years, school officials decided to move the programs housed at Lowell to Pate Early Childhood Center and save money in the process.
OACAC officials plan to relocate their two Head Start programs “under one roof,” according to Diane Bauer, assistant Head Start director. She noted a search was on for a facility, the school district stepped up, OACAC looked and the deal was in progress.
Local Head Start programs currently serve 60 children -- 20 in both half-day sessions and 20 in the full-day program.
“We will serve the same number as we are now, but will just move the location,” said Bauer.
She noted the playground at Lowell will be “great” for the youngsters in the Head Start programs. Officials will be replacing the current equipment as the renovation process continues.
Bauer noted they “hope” to be in the new quarters by the first of the year and that owners of the two leased facilities used now are aware of the move.
Changes to the inside of the building involve making it suitable for pre-school programs and students and adding a full kitchen, some carpeting, a fire alarm system, etc. There will be minimal changes to the existing classrooms other than adding some windows and doors to access the playground.
“We thing it will be really great to use this building sitting in a neighborhood,” added Bauer.
She indicated there will be a grand opening event when the renovations are complete.
The block bounded by Delta (south), McNatt (east), Lee (north) and Wilson (west) streets has been the site of a school in the Aurora community since 1900, when the first Lowell School was built. It was replaced in 1918. An annex was added to the building in the 1960s. After Pate ECC was occupied in early 2000, the 1918 edition of Lowell was removed.
OACAC is leasing the school for $1 a year plus the cost of liability insurance on the building and grounds. The lease continues for 10 years with a year-to-year renewal, according to Dr. Lucy Lyon, assistant superintendent for the Aurora R-8 School District.
