CPRD retires Bonnie Benedict Preschool program after 55 years

Spring 2025 - After 55 years of continuous operation, Chehalem Park and Recreation District closed Bonnie Benedict Preschool and retired the preschool and Pre-K programs located therein, with the end of the regular preschool season in May. The preschool program ended with the graduation ceremony on May 23rd, 2025.

“It has been a difficult decision to make,” said Special Services Supervisor Julie Petersen. “We are so glad to have been able to serve the early childhood education needs of our community for the past few decades."

Petersen told the Board of Directors at its March meeting that after long and careful consideration, the staff had made the difficult decision to discontinue the preschool and Pre-K programs. Unlike budgeting for parks and facilities, which are primarily funded through tax revenue, CPRD's recreation department is funded primarily through user fees.

Petersen explained that this program had been in a growing deficit of net revenue for several years. Petersen talked about the necessity to cover costs in order to make programs sustainable, declining enrollment, and that local parents now have options available.

"To fully recover, we would need to close a $67,000 gap, either by increasing tuition, securing outside funding or significantly cutting costs. Given declining enrollment, aging facilities and the availability of free preschool alternatives, the financial reality is that continued operation is not sustainable," Petersen said.

As time has marched on, the costs of operating the preschool programs have risen while revenue has dropped. Enrollment has declined: in 2022 and 2023, seven 3-year-olds and 12 4-year-olds were enrolled; in 2024, five 3-year-olds enrolled, and eight 4-year-olds.

There are several reasons contributing to this declining enrollment. Free (no-cost) preschool and childcare options have become available through other providers; there are a dozen or more registered and in-home preschools in the Newberg/Dundee area. The program has also struggled from delinquent accounts. A major reason behind the dropping enrollments, as the Board and staff have been publicly discussing, has been the aging preschool building itself.

The building, built in 1909, has not kept up with the times. Overall, for all of its charms and infusion of local history, it is an aging structure which, by design, is sized on a smaller scale. Considerable work would have to be done to make this fully accessible by today's standards to the diverse needs of the population. While CPRD has recently been able to fund limited repairs to the building, including roof improvements, and completed some painting, much of this has been paid for through grant funding instead of tax revenue and clearly not by revenue that has been generated by the programs that it houses.

The future of the preschool building remains to be determined; staff and board are discussing options. Although the program will close, CPRD is pursuing additional funds for major renovations for the facility in the hopes of reinvigorating the program and resuming it after major facility upgrades can be completed.

The Board and staff wish to acknowledge and thank all of the staff members and the families who have been part of the program over the years, and remain committed to the spirit of helping foster the development of young children through education, recreation, and by providing access to outdoor and indoor park and recreation facilities and amenities.

"The legacy of Bonnie Benedict Preschool will not disappear with the closing of our doors," said Petersen.

While the preschool program has been retired, CPRD's childcare program (CARE) continues.

HISTORY

Bonnie Benedict Preschool was Newberg's first preschool and has been operating continuously since the 1960s in tandem with CPRD's related childcare (CARE) program. When CPRD formed, kindergarten was not offered in public schools. Antonia Crater, one of the founding members of the CPRD Board, felt strongly that early childhood education would make a difference in the community. The Board asked Bonnie Benedict to develop the program, and in September of 1965, the preschool was begun. This became the first “activity program” of CPRD. During the early years, classes were held in the old Presbyterian Church basement. Most equipment and supplies were donated. People were enthusiastic about the school and the curriculum that Bonnie developed. Bonnie taught for 32 years; she retired in 1998 and died in 2019. She remained a friend to CPRD and would occasionally attend preschool graduations in her later years.

"We have had many fabulous teachers over the years," said Petersen. Lynne Patrick worked in the school from 1993 to 2001, then she oversaw the program from an administrative position and continued to guide it until she retired in 2018. Patrick attended the March Board meeting and contributed to the discussion. Jan Kester was a substitute teacher from 1990 through 1997, then moved into full-time up through her retirement in 2012. Ann Ireton taught from 2014 through 2020; Grace Taasevigen joined the staff in 2023. Deanna Rice joined the staff in 2000, and in the past years, took up the mantle of leadership, overseeing the program.

"We have tremendously enjoyed working with all of the families who have walked through our doors. We want all of you out there to know that you will be greatly missed. Thank you for supporting and caring for us as well, " said Rice.