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Parent raises before/aftercare waitlist concerns; board says hiring and RFPs underway
Summary
A resident told the board long waitlists for before- and after-school care are affecting working families; board members said staffing shortages are the main constraint, noted an RFP for extended-day services and that five employees are being hired for community programs to help address capacity.
A Wayne Township resident described personal hardship caused by waitlists for before- and after-school care and urged the Board to pursue outside providers and other options to expand offerings.
George Ball, who identified himself as a resident of El Dorado Drive and the parent of three elementary-school children, described being on a waiting list for early-care programs at Tunis and asked whether the district had pursued partnerships with outside providers such as the YMCA or PAL to expand capacity.
Board members and education committee representatives said the district recognizes high demand and is pursuing several steps: an RFP for extended-day programs is active, the education committee is evaluating potential community partners, and the personnel section of the agenda showed five employees being hired by the board of education to serve as caregivers in community programs. One board member described the hiring pool for caregivers as "dry" and emphasized a need to recruit qualified staff rather than rely on ad hoc helpers.
Officials committed to following up with more specific information to parents about where the newly hired caregivers will be assigned and how wait-list changes will be communicated. The education committee said it will continue exploring options to support families who rely on before- and after-school care.
