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RACINE - Success stories in education are rare, but parents say the Gateway Technical College Early Childhood Lab is one of them. But with the lab set to close in 6 months, parents are fighting to keep it open.

Kristin Cafferty is one of many parents outraged by the decision to close the lab. She says it's more than a daycare. They train Gateway students to be great teachers, and they have provided her kids with what she calls the best early education available in Racine.
 
"There are no facilities that are run by teachers of this caliber that I know of," Cafferty said.
 
The Childhood Lab is so popular that parents are organizing to protest Gateway officials' decision. Even one current teacher at the lab publicly opposes the decision.
 
"I'm stunned, I'm shocked, I'm horrified. My students use this facility every day," said instructor Shag Norman.
 
College officials say money is the issue. The school is subsidizing 60 percent of the costs of the Childhood Lab. They also say they want to put more focus on educating students, rather than on providing the community with a childcare facility. Another issue is that college officials want more space on campus to expand to accommodate a growing student body.
 
"I sympathize. This is a difficult decision for the college to make, and it is a great facility," said dean of campus affairs Ray Koukari.
 
Many parents strongly dispute the college's reasoning. They say administrators' priorities are in the wrong place.
 
"It is a community treasure that should not be lost," Cafferty said.
 
Parents plan a public meeting to talk about the closing at the library at noon on Tuesday, March 16. The Childhood Lab is expected to close on August 31.