Committee forwards $196,300 ARPA agreement with ReProgram for arts‑focused after‑school programming

York City’s committee on April 23 voted to place a resolution on the May 6 legislative agenda to authorize an agreement with ReProgram for $196,300 in ARPA funds to support after‑school programming.

Administration staff described the ReProgram award as one of the city’s original ARPA programs. Diaz Woodard, described by staff as a former city employee and the organizer behind ReProgram, plans a therapeutic performance arts‑based program combining art, dance and tutoring. Staff said the intention is to conduct a summer pilot and then operate in the 2025–26 school year using space provided by the school district and, later, the renovated Sylvan Newcomb Center when that facility is ready.

Staff said ReProgram requested an upfront payment because it is a new contractor; the city’s ARPA consultants reviewed and did not flag the request. Committee members asked which school buildings would be used and how many students would be served. Staff said the program targets K–8 buildings (grades 3 through 12 were also referenced in the discussion) and estimated class sizes of about 25–30 students per class with multiple class sessions per week; staff said a specific total student count was not available at this meeting. The program will require income verification to meet ARPA eligibility rules, and the agreement will be edited to reflect the upfront payment and other terms with solicitor edits before the May 6 packet.

A committee member asked for the ReProgram founder to attend the May 6 meeting to walk the council through the program; staff said Woodard indicated he would attend. After brief discussion and no public opposition, the committee voted to place the resolution on the May 6 legislative agenda.