Robla parents and staff press board after item removing START after‑school provider is pulled from agenda

The Robla School District Board of Education faced sustained public criticism on April 24 after it removed agenda item 7J — a recommendation related to expanded‑learning providers — saying the board was not prepared to decide on the item that night.

The removal prompted dozens of parents, START program staff and teachers to deliver public comment urging the board to keep START, an after‑school provider that commenters said has served Robla students and families for years. Joshua Weeks, a teacher in the district, said he and many parents learned about the proposal only in the last week and called the lack of advance notice a breakdown in communication.

The matter matters locally because START provides after‑school care, enrichment and homework support across multiple Robla elementary sites; speakers said losing the program could affect parents’ ability to work and students’ social and academic support. "START is not only a place where they babysit our children — it is a big part of our community," Patricia Montano, a parent, said during public comment. "Without the START program, a lot of parents will suffer."

Parents, program staff and school leaders described START staff as long‑time…