Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the After School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newark Unified shifts some after‑school programs to fee‑based model after state funding change
Summary
Following a CDE funding restructuring that reduced ELOP allocations, staff said the district moved to a fee‑based model for non‑unduplicated students at four sites to close a reported $504,753 gap; staff are exploring sliding scales and partnerships to improve equity.
District staff told the Newark Unified board on Oct. 21 that a change in the California Department of Education’s funding formula for expanded learning reduced ELOP allocations to the district, producing a reported $504,753 shortfall for 2025–26. To preserve after‑school slots, staff immediately pivoted to a fee‑based model for non‑unduplicated students at four ELOP sites.
Ophelia Balero (presenter) explained the district’s decision: under the revised allocations, ELOP funds could no longer cover non‑unduplicated families at the same levels, so the district implemented a monthly fee of $450 per student for nine months at BGI, BGP, Lincoln and Kennedy to be cost neutral to the program and meet contractual obligations to the vendor Think Together. Staff said the district needed about 125 non‑unduplicated families enrolled to break even and reported that 125 families had signed up; overall enrollment in the contract is about 375 of a 400‑student capacity.
“Because ACES funding came in as expected, at the time there was not a need to move to a fee based program for the 25‑26 school year,” Balero said, adding that the ELOP restructuring prompted the pivot to preserve access for unduplicated students first. Board members asked whether a sliding scale might be feasible and how to ensure fairness between sites funded by ELOP and those funded by ACES; staff said they would explore options, seek guidance from county and state officials, and consider partnerships to expand affordability.
Public commenter Miss Parks urged transparency on staffing costs and questioned whether the coordinator position’s salary aligned with current operational needs; she asked the board to direct the superintendent to examine staffing and ensure equitable access.
What happens next: Staff said they will investigate sliding payment scales for 2026–27, pursue additional partnerships and outreach to increase families’ completion of educational benefits forms to maximize eligibility for fully subsidized slots, and return to the board with recommendations for next year.
