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Horizon Elementary teachers urge board to restore VPK wraparound program cut affecting staff
Summary
Teachers and the Horizon Elementary principal told the Volusia County School Board that closing a local extended-hours VPK wraparound program would prevent about 15% of the school's staff from participating in after-school duties and urged the district to reconsider the reduction from four sites to two.
Horizon Elementary teachers and Principal Dr. Melanie Johnson told the Volusia County School Board during public participation on Feb. 11 that the district’s decision to reduce the early-learning extended-hours VPK wraparound program will significantly affect staff availability after school.
The teachers’ statement, read by a community representative, said about 15% of Horizon staff rely on the local wraparound program to supervise their own children after regular school hours. Those staff members said the program allowed them to attend after-school tutoring, clubs, leadership meetings and planning time; without it they said attendance at after-school duties would be constrained and school productivity reduced.
Principal Dr. Johnson’s letter, read at the meeting, said Horizon is 4 percentage points from achieving an A status and described the school’s staff as a close-knit community. Teachers who signed the letter asked the district to keep the current wraparound site at Horizon or otherwise provide alternatives so staff can continue to participate in required after-school responsibilities.
District staff and board members noted cabinet-level discussions had reviewed program consolidation and that the district will continue a West-side site and one East-side site at Pathways (North Ormond). Commenters asked the board to reconsider that plan or to survey employees to identify need before reducing local sites.
The board did not take an immediate vote to reverse the decision during the meeting and indicated the item would be considered further in district planning and staffing conversations.
