Okaloosa schools expand before‑ and after‑school programs at elementary campuses

The Okaloosa County School Board heard presentations and questions about proposals to open before‑ and after‑school and summer daycare programs at Elliott Point Elementary and Walker Elementary, with district staff and principals describing procedures, funding and staffing. The programs were presented to the board as agenda items recommended by the superintendent for approval. District staff said the programs are intended for school‑age children enrolled at the hosting campus and that schools must follow district procedures and monitoring before programs open. "They're funded by the program. Right. Yes. Childcare is self funded. So they have to raise the revenue and pay their employees and all their expenses," a district staff member said while explaining the financial model. Superintendent White and other board members emphasized the programs respond to family demand, including from military families, and said principals lead the local implementation. "The military is also asking for the for there to be before and after school programs," the superintendent said, noting principals assume additional responsibilities when hosting a program. Board members asked whether school employees could staff programs. District staff said the daycare positions are paid by the program and are separate from regular district payroll; principals will hire staff based on enrollment. "They're only gonna hire the number of people based on the number of kids so they can stay within their budget," a staff member said. Board members raised concerns about competition with private daycare providers. One board member described his prior reluctance to have the district compete with local businesses but said research and conversations changed his view: "It's a need. And so I started doing research, started talking to the ones that were in existence and the ones that wanted it, and it is a need." The board member added that revenue is secondary to meeting family needs. Staff said most schools survey parents for interest before bringing programs to the board and that principals are responsible for outreach and enrollment. The superintendent and staff estimated the district will have about 10 before/after school programs this year if the presented items are approved, and they advised patience as new programs ramp up. No formal vote on the agenda items was recorded in the workshop transcript provided; both programs were presented as "recommended by the superintendent."