Brookline Rec reports early success after taking over BASE program from the schools
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Summary
Brookline Recreation staff told the School Committee that after six to seven months of operating BASE they have retained much instructional staff, launched 36 multi‑week programs, enrolled more than 560 participants so far and plan to achieve financial self-sufficiency within two years.
Tim Davis, Brookline Recreation Director, and colleagues updated the School Committee on the Recreation Department’s takeover of BASE (Brookline Adult and Community Education). Davis said the transition relied on a memorandum of understanding and joint building-use arrangements with the schools and credited Meredith (a former school-department employee now with Recreation) with institutional knowledge that helped reopen many programs. He said BASE has produced 36 multi‑week programs since reopening, has over 560 registrations in fall/winter programs, and more than 200 public‑school students participating in the music‑extension partnership.
Davis described an approach designed to integrate BASE into the department’s cost‑recovery model, expand financial‑aid availability to adults, and retain longstanding part‑time instructors. The Recreation Department expects self‑sufficiency within a three‑year plan and said early indicators suggest the timeline may accelerate to two years.
Committee members praised the partnership and asked about operational documentation. Members emphasized continued coordination with school operations staff and requested periodic updates; Superintendent Wong and staff said they would continue weekly operational conversations.
Next steps: Recreation and school operations staff will continue weekly coordination and provide further documentation and metrics to the committee.