Parent tells board STEAM lacks aftercare; district’s ReconEd commits to open program this fall

Rachel Young, a parent of three with the youngest in first grade at STEAM, told the Ann Arbor Public Schools board that STEAM families lack on‑site aftercare and face limited options such as off‑site providers with long waitlists or private babysitters. "We're the only neighborhood school in the district that does not have aftercare," she said.

Jenna Bacalur, the district's executive director of the community division, responded that ReconEd had surveyed families and found sufficient interest. Bacalur said ReconEd and school administration are working through space and staffing details and that registration should open this fall. "They are now working with the school administration to determine the space, and we'll be opening registration, as soon as they have worked out some of those details and hired the appropriate staff," she said.

Trustees thanked the parent and staff for the update. The district did not provide a precise start date or registration timeline beyond "this fall," and details about slots available and fees were not specified in the meeting. Trustees asked staff to include any further updates in future superintendent reports.

The board took no formal vote on aftercare at this meeting; the exchange was recorded as public comment and staff response and generated a district commitment to proceed with planning and registration steps this school year.