Burlington to help with after-school program
Burlington Free Press
Published: Saturday, December 16, 2006
By Jill Fahy
Free Press Staff Writer
The Burlington School Board, after listening to the pleas of half a dozen parents, agreed last week to partially fund the district's popular after-school program in the face of diminishing federal and state support.
The $650,000 a year after-school program, which has operated for eight years primarily on state and federal funding, will lose $200,000 in grant money next fall. It could lose another $370,000 the following year as grant money dries up. The situation has prompted district-led community meetings to figure out how to sustain the program that serves 56 percent of the district's more than 3,500 students.
Among the proposals is charging income-based annual fees for the enrichment programming that mostly includes a wide range of classes in academics, arts and athletics. Only Edmunds Elementary School charges fees based on what parents can afford.
"I think it's a real question of what the community wants," said Betsy Liley, the district's grants director.
Last week, the School Board met to give preliminary approval to next year's $41.1 million budget that is up nearly $3 million, or 7.8 percent, over last year's spending plan. Discussion of the proposal included a lengthy debate about whether to chip in the $200,000 for next fall's program. Loss of the funding would mean cutting the number of on-site coordinator positions and supplies, Liley said.
Ward 5 board member Amy Werbel proposed adding $112,500 -- a portion of the after-school program deficit -- into next year's budget.
After debating the practicality of spending any money, given the district's current budget proposal increase, the board voted to raise the 2007-08 spending plan by $112,500.
"This would be a signal from the board that acknowledges pressures on the district and families and that we're doing everything we can to maintain the quality of resources we provide," Werbel said.
A handful of people attended the meeting to argue their support for the program. Kathy Olwell, who runs Hunt Middle School's after-school program, said a large number of those students who participated last year in the program are on free and reduced lunch, which is an indicator of the district's poverty rate. Of the nearly 2,000 students who participate in the program, 54 percent are on free and reduced lunch, according to district data.
Olwell and others, arguing that the after-school program is crucial to the district's plans for socio-economic integration, challenged the board to "put its money where its mouth is."
"I'm pleading with you to think about the kids we serve here," Olwell said. "The board has to look at things the most neediest kids need to achieve a good education and we need some funding from Burlington."
David Hartnett, another after-school parent, also argued the need for the programs.
"Not to have them is not an option," Hartnett said. "That's how important they are to our community. Disengaged students lead to three things: Dropout, drugs and prison."
In the meantime, the district will continue its plan to formulate a fee structure to support the program long term, Liley said.
Contact Jill Fahy at 660-1898 or jfahy@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
