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SPARK after-school program seeks district backing as federal grant funding tapers
Summary
SPARK (after-school program for grades 6-8) faces a funding drop in the later years of its federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant; program leaders requested district contingency support if fees and outstanding payments do not cover a roughly $20,000 gap next year.
Leaders of the SPARK after-school program told the Haysville USD 261 board the program faces a funding cliff as the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant decreases in years four and five.
SPARK coordinator Jen Kahl said the program, which serves middle school students and operates before and after school and in summer, is funded this year primarily through a five-year federal grant and participant fees. She told the board the grant was front-loaded and that funding "drops off" in the final years, leaving the program close to budgetary limits.
Kahl said the program currently has about $14,000 on hand and estimated approximately $17,000 in salaries through June, leaving a potential shortfall of roughly $20,000 next year if funding declines to projected levels. She asked whether the district could provide financial support in the event of a shortfall and described options the program is evaluating, including modest fee increases, charging for summer field trips and scholarships for families who cannot pay.
District staff and board members discussed logistics. Superintendent and finance staff noted the grant is federal and that district leaders have considered program relocation to Haysville High School next school year to gain better space. Board members said they want a concrete "not-to-exceed" figure before any formal vote and that the program should return with a full budget request if district funds are needed.
Kahl said the program will seek to limit any fee increases that could price out families and emphasized a willingness to provide scholarships where needed. The presentation was informational; the board did not take action but asked staff to return with a formal request if necessary.
Documentation provided to the board included parent letters of support and a program budget summary; Kahl said current funds are approximately $14,000 and estimated salaries through June are about $17,000.
