ELOP update: nearly $400,000 allocated; student-worker roles and program changes expand after‑school capacity

At the November meeting the board received a detailed update on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), including funding, eligibility and program changes at multiple campuses.

Administrators explained ELOP’s purpose (to address pandemic-related learning loss through before- and after-school programs and additional days of learning). They said the district’s current allocation is nearly $400,000, with roughly $200,000 available for scholarships to qualifying unduplicated students (English learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, foster youth and unhoused students). Staff noted allocation fluctuates year to year depending on statewide priority-group thresholds; this year the priority-1 unduplicated threshold was lowered to 55 percent, affecting local allocations.

Programmatically, STAR Academy’s SCAPE program has been restructured to improve student-to-staff ratios, separate grade-level bands, and introduce campus support aides. Staff also moved check-in to a mobile app (ProCare) to reduce lines and increase efficiency. The board heard that student workers — mostly seniors hired over the summer and during the year — are providing supervision and enrichment support; some former student workers have been hired into full-time roles, demonstrating a retention and career-pathway benefit.

Enrichment programming has been adjusted based on parent feedback: the after‑school enrichment schedule now runs Tuesday–Thursday, 3:15–4:15, prioritizing NCS staff instructors for classes such as art, gardening, running club, cooking and social-skills groups. Staff will continue to measure program outcomes with pre/post testing and report back to the board.