District studies bringing YMCA school‑age care in‑house to strengthen alignment and expand local control

Lisa Rana, director of Community Education, told the board the district is studying a transition to bring school‑age child care currently provided by the YMCA in‑house under Shakopee Public Schools. Rana said the intention is to preserve current program hours (6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.), non‑school day and summer offerings, weekly themes and enrichment while aligning programming with district curricula and enabling direct district staffing.

Rana said most metro neighboring districts operate school‑age care under the district umbrella and that bringing the service in-house could "align program with district values," offer more enrichment and academic support and create employment opportunities for district staff and students (including possible high-school work/volunteer connections).

Board members asked whether meals would be provided during summer programming and whether enrollment would be flexible a la carte or require a full-season commitment. Rana said typical models let parents pick days a month in advance for staffing predictability, and that lunches during summer were commonly "bring your own," though on-site meals could be explored with Food Service if enrollment justified it. She said summer averages at two sites were in the low hundreds (Jackson ~123; another site ~118) and that a third site would be considered if demand rose by roughly 100 additional children.

The board heard timeline remarks: staff will continue analysis through November and hope to bring an item for board approval on Nov. 17. Rana emphasized appreciation for YMCA partnership and said YMCA staff would be welcome to apply to district positions if the transition is approved.