Local Business Offers Solution to Oklahoma City Public School

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City school experiencing growing pains has received some much needed help from a local business.

Employees at the American Fidelity Foundation building are not only busy with everyday business, but now they're also getting ready for school.

In August a room in the building will be filled with 40 Pre-K students from nearby Wilson Elementary. Wilson is switching to all-day kindergarten this coming school year, which means they don't have room for their Pre-K students.

When American Fidelity learned of the predicament, they stepped in with a solution.

"We've learned that early childhood education is very important for the long-term well being and success of students," Dave Lopez, American Fidelity Foundation president.

Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Karl Springer said American Fidelity's generosity is a reflection of the community.

"This is typical for Oklahoma City. The community comes together and comes up with a solution to a problem. American Fidelity really surprised us with this solution," Springer said.

Had it not been for American Fidelity's support, the young students may not have had a class to go to.

"We're glad to help the neighborhood, glad to help the district, but most of all glad to help the little four-year-olds and their parents," Lopez said.

Other schools in the district facing space issues were able to bring in portable buildings and will move older students into those.