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 explained the change: "As of January 2025, APS informed us that they will no longer be the after school providers," and that APS "will only be overseeing the programs" rather than placing coordinators and teachers in the after‑school sites. Brian Green, director, said APS has shifted to working with other full‑service providers and that model "works better for them."

Committee members asked about causes and staff impacts. Council Member Murillo asked what prompted APS’s change; Donna replied that problems with a previous provider and an APS decision to centralize oversight led them to pull classroom staff out of the city’s model. Donna outlined staff reassignments: one remaining full‑time employee will transfer to the Lowry Preschool operations; part‑time staff have been offered positions in summer camps, preschool programs and front‑desk roles; staff may also choose to remain with APS if they prefer. Donna said the city is planning youth‑focused weekly programming at recreation centers (named Morehead, Central and Southeast) to continue serving youth in those communities.

Committee members expressed support for the recommendation. Council Member Coombs said the approach appears reasonable and asked that non‑staff resources remain dedicated to youth purposes; Donna pointed to the rec‑center offerings as part of that effort. Council Member Medina summarized the committee’s view, asking whether council support was needed; multiple members voiced assent. The committee did not record a formal roll‑call vote in the meeting transcript but indicated unanimous support to proceed with the sunset recommendation and to inform Council as requested.

APS will continue to offer after‑school programs at sites through other providers the presentation named: YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Scholars Unlimited and new providers such as Right at School and Innovative Learning for the 2025–26 school year. Donna emphasized licensing requirements APS is requiring for sites in 2025–26, including a licensed director at each site and a 1:15 student‑to‑teacher ratio with credentialed teachers, which the city said would be a substantial operational shift if it assumed full program delivery.

Clarifying details provided in the presentation included current enrollment ranges per site (25–35 students daily), maximum allowable enrollment (70), per‑student school‑year revenue ($2,000), per‑site expense breakout (staffing $116,000; provider fees $10,000; supplies/licensing $20,000; total $146,000), an estimate that assuming APS’s withdrawal would require about four additional staff per site, and the recommendation to end Compass as of May 2025. Staff also described reassignments for one full‑time position to Lowry Preschool and options offered to part‑time staff. The presentation and ensuing remarks made clear the decision reported in the committee was a staff recommendation and that APS and community providers will continue to supply after‑school options at the affected sites.

The committee’s discussion emphasized staffing and licensing burdens for the city, continuity of care for children (staff said no children would be left without after‑school options, because other providers are available), and planned recreation‑center youth programming. The item moves forward to Council notification and any next steps the Council requests.