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Board approves emergency funding to cover after-school transportation for Crescent City 21st Century program
Summary
The Putnam County School Board approved emergency funding to cover transportation for students attending the 21st Century after-school program at Crescent City High so families who otherwise could not keep students can participate.
The Putnam County School Board approved an emergency item to cover transportation costs for students attending the 21st Century after-school program at Crescent City High School so families who otherwise could not keep students after school can participate.
Why it mattered: The district said Crescent City is its only high-school site for the 21st Century program and that transportation had been a barrier to enrollment. Covering transportation aims to increase participation, help the program fully use its grant allocation and support students’ academic and extracurricular needs.
District staff said the transportation provision was added to the recently approved 21st Century (federal pass-through) grant but that administrative timing required an emergency session so drivers who began work on Sept. 8 could be paid immediately. “Families have been concerned they would let their children stay, but they can’t because of transportation,” the district’s presenter said. The district described two bus routes serving north and south areas, primarily transporting seventh- and eighth-graders to campus for academic support, credit recovery, English-language learner help and extracurricular activities.
Board members discussed grant competition and sustainability. Staff noted the grant is competitive and district programs compete with other applicants such as YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs. Trustees said the district will monitor enrollment and may explore supplemental or paid options in future years if the grant alone does not cover sustained transportation costs.
Action: The board approved item J1 in an emergency session by unanimous vote and directed staff to administer payments to drivers and monitor program enrollment and budgeting.
What’s next: Staff will process payments for drivers retroactive to their start date and evaluate whether additional funding or program changes are needed to make transportation sustainable beyond the current grant year.
