Teacher and parents urge continued funding for Davis School District after‑school programs

Brittany Roberts, a teacher at Northridge High School and a parent of two Lincoln Elementary students, told the Davis School District Board on May 7 that before‑ and after‑school community‑school programs provide a safe place for children of working parents and important academic support. “The before and after school program allows my children a safe place to be in our two‑parent working household,” Roberts said.

Roberts described benefits beyond supervision: students receive tutoring, develop a sense of belonging and rehearse for shared performances such as the programs’ “Extravaganza,” which brings together after‑school groups for a joint presentation. She also recounted how an after‑school program at Northridge High helped refugee students find a stable place for study and community, freeing her classroom time for enrolled high‑school students.

The remarks came during the board’s public‑comment period, which President Mumford opened by reminding speakers that comments are limited to two minutes and that the board cannot act on personnel or individual student matters raised during public comment. Roberts concluded her appeal by asking the board to continue supporting and funding community‑school models across the district so more schools can offer before‑ and after‑school programming.

The board did not take immediate action during the meeting based on her remarks; the district’s regular budgeting and program‑approval processes determine funding allocations. The public‑comment record also included union and support‑staff representatives reporting that their bargaining units had reached tentative agreements with the district and that ratification votes were underway or complete.