District to continue after‑school partnership with Lutheran Children & Family Services at rec center

John Simpson briefed the committee that the district will continue a partnership with Lutheran Children & Family Services to operate an after‑school program at the district rec center. The program, launched last year, previously served middle‑school students and will again focus on that group for the upcoming year.

Simpson said the program will serve 32 middle‑school students across the district’s four middle schools, run Monday through Thursday for 13 weeks beginning after Labor Day, and operate from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Monday and Wednesday community engagement activities are scheduled 3:15–4:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday mentoring/leadership activities during the same time). Tutoring and homework support will run 4:30–5:30 p.m. each day and the district will continue to coordinate transportation and snack logistics.

Staff said the partnership costs the district nothing: Lutheran Children & Family Services is providing the grant dollars to cover program costs; the district assists with buses and snack planning. Simpson noted possible seasonal expansions, a potential high‑school pilot and a specialized pilot for the boys’ basketball program if interest and operational capacity allow.

Committee members asked about payment and confirmed the program is grant‑funded at no cost to the district. Staff said they will coordinate promotion with the four middle schools and create a student roster and wait list to manage enrollment fluctuations.

No formal board action occurred at the committee meeting; staff said the item will return for action if required at the full board meeting in August.