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Summer Raider Academy underenrolled but came in under budget, administrators say
Summary
Summer Raider Academy enrolled 184 students in May but only had 117 on day one; organizers cut staff, cited transportation and competing activities, and reported spending $46,067 of a $62,960 requested budget.
Mrs. Chapman presented the Summer Raider Academy report, saying the four‑week K–6 program offered academic enrichment for K–2 and project‑based learning with showcases for grades 3–6 at Nightingale Elementary.
Chapman said 184 students were enrolled in May but only 117 attended on day one. She described program highlights — STEM activities funded by an Alcoa grant (two STEM facilitators), coding projects using Sphero Bolt, field trips funded by Adirondack for Kids and Connect for Kids, and grade‑level showcases — but said lower than expected attendance forced reductions in staffing (from three teachers per grade level to two, except for sixth grade).
Chapman reviewed budget figures submitted during strategic budgeting: $62,960 requested for salaries (or program funding), with actual spending of $46,067; supplies requested at $9,000 with $2,290 spent. She said transportation challenges (long routes, limited buses), family travel and competing community programs reduced attendance and suggested considering 2‑week thematic camps to improve participation.
Board members praised the program—s impact, noted it had helped feed and engage students across summer offerings, and encouraged Chapman to convene a planning committee to redesign the program for greater uptake. No additional funding requests were approved at the meeting; Chapman said she had survey responses and would continue to analyze barriers to attendance.
