Parents and community advocates told the Judson ISD Board of Trustees on Monday that an announced two-week notice to raise Adventure Club after-school tuition would unfairly burden many families.

During public comment, a parent said "$55 a month can literally be the difference between lights on, food on the table" and urged the board to delay any tuition increase until the second semester or the next school year to give families time to adjust. Trustees and staff acknowledged the program is widely used and that inflation has increased operating costs; staff said the district's Adventure Club rates remain lower than neighboring providers but conceded the timing of the proposed increase was poorly timed.

District administration said they would consider delaying the increase until January 2026 and also proposed a multi-student discount, and noted some immediate capital needs (cabinets and storage) could be funded from Adventure Club balances. Several trustees urged staff to return with a staffing plan that supports consistent program space, clear schedules of daily activities (homework support, enrichment, wellness time) and pricing that reflects program improvements rather than a revenue grab.

Board members did not vote to implement the increase Monday; instead they removed the item from the current consent agenda and instructed administration to re-evaluate program staffing, capacity, and capital needs and to return with a timeline for any prospective change. Administration also said registration links would open Monday and that Adventure Club spots would fill quickly at current rates.

Why this matters: Adventure Club is an after-school childcare program used by many families; last-minute tuition increases can create financial hardship for working parents. Trustees said they wanted to balance fiscal sustainability of the program with fairness to families and asked staff to provide alternatives and a longer lead time for any price changes.

Staff said they will return with a revised proposal that could include a January implementation date for any increase, scheduled capital improvements (cabinets estimated to be under $25,000 districtwide), and clearer daily activity schedules to justify increased fees.