Parents, students and advocates urge Loudoun to fund free after-school programs in FY2026 budget

Parents, students and community representatives told the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors that free after-school and extracurricular programs should be funded in the FY2026 school budget so that low-income and working families can access sports, arts and academic support.

Jefferson Rivas, who identified himself as a middle-school student, said he is "currently suffering from bullying" and asked for free after-school programs that would give students space and support. Community leaders from New Virginia Majority and parent organizations also urged supervisors to back the school budget items that include free after-school offerings.

Doris (Doris/Yorta) Serrano, representing a parent community in Leesburg, said that high rents and low wages limit parents' ability to provide extracurricular opportunities and asked the supervisors to approve the school budget that includes these programs. Eric Kamalas, a New Virginia Majority leader and parent, said free after-school extracurriculars would provide low-income children "the opportunity to develop skills" without cost being an impediment.

Speakers linked the after-school ask to broader housing and child-care pressures: they argued that free programs would allow parents to work full time, reduce unsupervised time for children, and provide developmental and safety benefits. The comments included calls for sports, arts, homework help and services for students with special education needs.

Why it matters: Supporters said free after-school programs would address gaps created by high housing costs and limited child-care access and provide developmental supports for students at risk.

What was not decided: The hearing collected public comment only; the Board of Supervisors did not vote at this session.