Preschool Approved at Frieden's Despite Initial Controversy

The Ozaukee Christian School is officially enrolling for its new preschool inside , recently approved by the Port Washington Common Council despite initial concerns from Friedens' neighbors about traffic issues the school would bring.

The school will be small, with one classroom, and will only take place during the morning on weekdays, School Administrator Kris Austin said. A conditional use permit to allow the school was approved by the Port Washington Common Council approved on May 31, and enrollment is already underway.

, when neighbors presented their traffic and noise concerns; then, Austin held an open house at Friedens in an attempt to address neighbors' concerns — which Austin said "went really well."

"One major concern that surfaced was unrelated to the preschool," Austin said. "The neighbors were united in their desire for a four-way stop instead of the current two-way. I passed this information on to the city on their behalf."

This will not be the first time the church will house a school. From 1992 to 1995  the church was home to the school's K through 8th-grade program, and had about 50 students. There will be the potential for additional growth with more classrooms added, however Austin did not have an estimate as to how big the school could get then — and didn't expect that to happen any time soon.

In the meantime, the school is enrolling about 10 to 12 students.

"We have an open house this Friday night at 6:45 p.m.," Austing said in an e-mail. "It's a Pajama Story Time (only the kids in pajamas, please!) for the children. Parents will be able to meet our director/lead teacher, Tammy Gantner, as well. Families enrolling that night will have the $50 registration fee waived.  ... Our school phone number is 262-284-6980 if there are additional questions."