Committee backs Hueneme after-school partnership to operate ASES sites for coming years

The Oxnard Community Services, Public Safety and Housing Development Committee on May 13 recommended the City Council approve a partnership agreement with the Hueneme Elementary School District to operate the California After School Education and Safety (ASES) program at district school sites for the coming fiscal years.

Staff presented a proposal for the city to receive funding to provide after-school services at Hueneme district schools over the 2025–26, 2026–27 and 2027–28 fiscal years. The staff report described the program as a multi-site effort; staff identified tens of sites and said the program serves thousands of youth annually. Committee members and staff framed the program as prevention-focused and important to closing achievement gaps.

Why it matters: Committee members emphasized that after-school programs are not “babysitting” but deliver academic and enrichment services that support English-language learning and broader educational outcomes. Committee Member Peralta pressed staff for details on English language learner (ELL) supports for families whose primary languages include Spanish and Mixteco; staff said curriculum is provided by the school district and that English instruction is encouraged and delivered in English and Spanish when possible.

Program oversight and outcomes: Renee Rakestra, Assistant Director of Culture and Community Services, and after-school supervisors said the district leads curriculum and site-level supports. Recreation Supervisor Esteban Mountjoy (after-school supervisor) said the district is responsible for curriculum and that the program includes an English-language component delivered in English and Spanish “when possible.” Staff noted a focused Mixteco presence at specific schools such as Haycox Elementary where bilingual counselors and staff assist students.

Staffing and implementation: Staff described hiring challenges following COVID and reported improvement: at the Hueneme sites all 13 full-time positions were filled and extra-help roles were about 85% filled, though turnover among part-time workers remains a factor. Committee members urged continued efforts to fully use awarded funds and to avoid returning state funds unspent.

Vote and next steps: A motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded; the committee voted 3-0 to recommend Council authorization of the agreement and mayoral execution of the partnership documents. Staff will proceed with implementing the multi-year contract and continue recruiting to fill remaining positions at some sites.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff and volunteers for operating the program and asked staff to prepare measurable reporting on student outcomes for future Council consideration; staff said they would follow up with program-level details and data as available.