Dallas County district discontinues day care after $1M loss

The Dallas County R-1 School District has decided to close its day care program, which has been operating at a significant financial loss.

The Board of Education voted Feb. 9 to close the Bison Daycare program started four years ago. It will cease operations at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Laura O’Quinn notified employees and parents this week, noting the program is too expensive to continue.

“The district has incurred an average annual loss of approximately $250,000, totaling approximately $1 million by the end of this year,” she wrote in the Feb. 10 letter. “Despite ongoing efforts to minimize the loss, this level of financial impact is not sustainable.”

O’Quinn said the program was started four years ago because of limited child care options in the Buffalo area.

“The program was created to support working families, help recruit and retain staff, and ensure access to high-quality child care,” she wrote. “At the time, the investment met a critical need, and we are proud of the care and support the day care staff have provided to children and families.”

Max McKinney, communications specialist for the district, said the program has served as many as 60 students at its height. Currently, 45 children are enrolled, but only six are full-time.

In the letter, O’Quinn said she presented options to the board, which opted to close the day care at the end of the school year.

“The decision will allow us to focus and best use financial resources on our core educational mission,” she wrote.