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Decatur superintendent recommends ending extended day program, cites $2 million annual cost
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Clark told the board she recommends discontinuing Decatur SD 61's extended day program because it costs the district about $2,000,000 annually, serves under 10% of K— students and relies on expired COVID funds; she asked the board's consent to pursue vendor partnerships as alternatives.
Superintendent Dr. Clark told the Decatur SD 61 Board of Education on March 10 that she is recommending the district discontinue its extended day program because it is fiscally unsustainable.
"At this time, it is costing the district closely to $2,000,000 a year to operate," Dr. Clark said, adding that the program serves "less than 10% of our K— population, more so like 5 to 6 percent with a huge waiting list." She said the district previously used COVID funds to offset costs and those funds ended about a year ago in December.
Why it matters: The program provided before- and after-school care to families but is expensive relative to participation; ending it would shift families to outside providers and could affect access for low-income households unless…
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