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Board asks for AEDY presentation after debate on full‑day program, enrollment and costs
Summary
Trustees asked staff to prepare a focused presentation on expanding AEDY (alternative education for disruptive youth) to a full‑day model, including enrollment projections, staffing implications and cost estimates; current numbers are small and staff said expansion would increase recurring costs.
Members of the Delaware Valley board pressed staff for a detailed follow‑up on AEDY after a lengthy exchange about whether to expand the district’s current after‑school program into a full‑day model.
Staff outlined options: continuing the current after‑school model that serves a small number of students (generally 3–5 at any given time, with historical variance up to about 10) or investing in a full‑day program that would require additional recurring staff, counseling and possibly a dedicated facility. The board discussed two possible approaches: purchase an off‑campus building and operate a larger program that could accept tuition from other districts or repurpose campus footprint if feasible. Staff said early estimates for construction had previously been in the $1–1.5M range for an on‑campus build and warned that ongoing staffing costs would accrue to the general fund rather than one‑time capital funds.
Several trustees said the program is an important district priority and requested a formal presentation from the administrator (Diana) with clear enrollment scenarios, staffing plans and cost‑benefit information for board review during the budget process. The board did not commit to a site or funding approach on Jan. 8; it directed staff to bring back specifics for formal consideration.
Ending: Staff agreed to prepare an AEDY briefing that will include projected enrollments, staffing and recurring cost implications for the general fund.
