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City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning announces Launch will be provider for new Miller Annex preschool

SEATTLE (July 31, 2017) – Today the Department of Education and Early Learning announced Launch will be the Seattle Preschool Program operator for the Miller Annex Preschool. Earlier this year, DEEL and Seattle Parks and Recreation signed an agreement to move forward with the redevelopment of the Miller Annex to serve as a preschool site.  After a competitive application process in May, the Department of Education and Early Learning reviewed four proposals from current Seattle Preschool Program providers and ultimately selected Launch.

The Miller Annex is owned by Seattle Parks and Recreation and is connected to the Meany Middle School building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. As part of the Seattle Preschool Program Action Plan, the Seattle voters set aside $8.5 million to support the expansion, renovation, or improvement of early education facilities to help ease the pressure on early learning providers to find usable space for preschool classrooms.

“Our investment in remodeling Miller Annex represents one of the most important commitments to our Seattle Preschool Program providers,” said Department of Education and Early Learning Director Dwane Chappelle. “We know that preschools in the City of Seattle are feeling the squeeze of higher rents and more competition for licensable space. That is why our Department is prioritizing the renovation, building and acquisition of more preschool classroom space.”

Construction broke ground in March on the 4-classroom preschool center which will serve up to 80 children and significantly contribute to the Seattle Preschool Program’s expansion goals. Two classrooms will open in the spring of 2018 and all four classrooms will be open for operation for the 2018-19 school year.

Launch has operated high quality preschool for 17 years in the Seattle area and was selected due to their strong commitment to implementing a holistic approach to improving outcomes for children of color. Launch will be guaranteed a lease agreement with Seattle Parks and Recreation for the Miller Annex space through the 2018-19 school year. Launch has been a participant with Seattle Preschool Program since the first year of the program and consistently provides high quality preschool.

The Department of Education and Early Learning invested $1.7 million of Seattle Preschool Program Levy funds for the tenant improvements.