Aurora committee backs sunsetting Compass after‑school program after APS withdraws classroom support

Donna, a City of Aurora program staff member, told the Parks and Quality of Life Policy Committee on May 22 that the Compass After School Program should be ended as of May 2025 after Aurora Public Schools (APS) informed the city it will stop providing on-site classroom staff and educational support.

The recommendation matters because the Compass program has partnered with APS since 1991 and serves sites across the city. Donna said current enrollment at each of the eight jointly run sites ranges from about 25 to 35 students daily, with a maximum allowable enrollment of 70. She told the committee the school‑year revenue figure used for budgeting is $2,000 per student, and that at full enrollment of 70 students per site the revenue would be $140,000; program expenses Donna gave for a single site total $146,000 (staffing $116,000; specialty provider fees $10,000; supplies and licensing $20,000), meaning staffing and licensing requirements would push city costs higher if the city assumed full operational responsibility.

Winter Stiger, Manager of Recreation, introduced the presentation and Donna…