City proposes expanded after-school program at five schools; city projects fees will offset costs

City staff described a proposed expansion of the recreation department’s extended day program to five schools at the June 3 work session, saying the addition is designed to extend services and introduce students to recreation activities while being revenue‑offset.

Finance and recreation staff said the five sites are Lake Hart Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Live Oak Elementary, Morningside Pre‑K and Magnolia Pre‑K. Staff said the program expansion would involve hiring about 31 part‑time recreation employees and two coordinators and would operate approximately 37 weeks per school year.

Staff presented the projected costs and revenues to the commission. The finance director said the budget included a $372,000 line tied to the expanded day program; staff projected roughly $375,000 in program revenue and estimated program costs of about $371,000, making the extension a break‑even proposition rather than a money‑making venture. Program fees discussed in the record were $30 per week per student, consistent with existing school charges; staff said the arrangement would transition billing and administration from the school system to the city for the selected sites.

Commissioners raised equity and site-selection concerns, noting the five schools chosen are not necessarily the neighborhoods with the greatest need and asking staff to coordinate closely with the school system. Staff said the school system had proposed a list of eight candidate schools and the city narrowed the list to those five based on projected enrollment, staffing feasibility and prior experience operating a similar program at Robert Cross (Robert Frost/Robert Cross in record). No final authorization or contract award was recorded at the work session; staff said contract responses are pending and that funding sources and hotel‑motel allocations may be adjusted and returned to the commission.