OXNARD : Child-Care Center Given Last Chance

The Oxnard City Council gave a possible new lease on life to a financially troubled child-care center at the South Oxnard Center, agreeing Tuesday to review a financial plan submitted by the New Beginnings Daycare Center.

City staff will meet today with officials of the church that operates the center to evaluate a plan to pay $32,400 in back rent.

“Maybe we can make a new beginning for New Beginnings,” said Jack C. Lavin of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Inability to pay the city $5,000 in monthly rent had prompted center officials to ask the city to reduce the rent. Their request led to Tuesday’s hearing, at which the council was to consider soliciting bids from other child-care providers.

The council’s decision came after the Rev. Lonnie G. McCowan of the New Beginnings Christian Center verbally rescinded a 30-day notice to vacate the South Oxnard Center. McCowan had sent the note to the city Jan. 22.

After a review of its operations, McCowan said, the church had combined two classes and laid off five employees to reduce its budget.

Gary Jordan, the finance director for New Beginnings, told the council that the church had been forced to pay over $300,000 more than expected to refurbish its new church in Oxnard.

He said the $15,000 in higher construction costs the church had been paying each month hurt its ability to pay rent on the day-care facility. With the building project completed, New Beginnings could afford the day-care program more easily, Jordan said.

Although the council noted that several other providers are interested in replacing New Beginnings, members decided to give the church a last chance.