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After‑school debate: ABC board approves CBO vendors for ABC Excels after long public comment
Summary
After extensive public comment urging the district to retain site‑run ABC Excels staff, the ABC Unified board approved a set of community‑based organizations for the district’s expanded learning (ELOP) program while staff clarified principals can keep site staff and use CBOs for enrichment.
The ABC Unified School District board voted to approve three community‑based organizations to provide expanded learning (ABC Excels) services at 18 elementary and five middle schools after a lengthy public comment period in which parents, students and program staff urged the district to retain the site‑run ABC Excels program at Ross Middle School.
Director Tuan Nguyen recommended awarding the ELOP contracts to Camp Fire Long Beach, Action Youth America (AYA) and Woodcraft Rangers as the highest‑scoring proposers in the district’s request for proposals. Nguyen told the board the selection followed the RFP criteria and noted the program serves about 5,000 eligible elementary students districtwide, currently reaching roughly 70 percent of that cohort.
Dozens of parents, students and after‑school staff implored trustees not to disrupt existing programs. ‘‘This program has been faithfully working here for the past 3 years, helping students actualize their potential,’’ said Charles Barjon, a Ross Middle School program leader, describing the district‑run program as ‘‘a well‑oiled machine’’ that keeps students safe and engaged. Parent Damon Melfi said the site‑based staff ‘‘helped with the overall development’’ of his son and asked that the board preserve continuity for families who rely on the after‑school program.
Staff said the RFP was for outside community‑based organizations to provide enrichment and summer services and that site‑based staff hired by principals can continue to provide tutoring and intervention supports. ‘‘ABC Excels is the name of the overarching program, and the program is a combination of our own staff, as well as CBOs coming together to provide the best experience possible for our students,’’ Superintendent Dr. Zietlow said.
Board member Sue Yu expressed the community’s concern about continuity in Ross’s program, and staff repeatedly assured parents that principals can continue to hire site staff and the district would coordinate CBO services with sites. After discussion the board approved the recommended vendors (roll call: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention) and directed staff to meet with principals to finalize site plans.
Board and staff emphasized the decision enables expanded enrichment and summer programming tied to new state ELOP requirements; principals retain discretion over how to blend district staff and CBO partners at each school.
