GALT –

Head to Fairsite Elementary School in Galt on a Tuesday morning and you’ll parents and their children in a preschool classroom.

While learning in a classroom is normal what makes this unique is that Fairsite technically isn’t a school.

In 2009, the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District education board made the decision to close Fairsite because of declining enrollment and budget conditions.

However, the closure led to a transformation.

“It’s really become a community learning center,” said Superintendent Karen Schauer.

Fairsite now offers all sorts of classes and programs like playgroups, English learning, nutrition classes, tae kwon do, gymnastics, a free clothing and food program, and even college courses.

“Education never stops and it’s supporting our community too,” said Donna Mayo-Whitlock who is Fairsite’s program coordinator.

She’s also working on expanding Fairsite’s programs. Currently students can take Delta College classes at Fairsite for an associate’s degree in early childhood education, and soon Sac State could offer a bachelor’s degree program.

They need at least 25 students to sign up to bring the BA program to Fairsite and are holding an informational meeting about it on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00pm in Fairsite’s multipurpose room.

Mayo-Whitlock said adding the BA program would be a valuable to Galt, “More job opportunity in a community where economically we have been hit hard.”

Fairsite is located at 902 Caroline Avenue in Galt.