Upper Dublin residents urge board to restore North Hills after‑school funding after proposed cut

Dozens of residents, alumni and program staff pressed the Upper Dublin School District Board of Directors on March 23 to reverse or revisit a decision to discontinue district support for the North Hills Community Center’s after‑school and summer programming.

Community members described the program as a decades‑long tutoring, mentorship and enrichment hub for North Hills families. "This program has long represented the successful partnership between schools, community, and government," said Nikishha Black, who identified herself as the program’s original director. She urged the board to "reconsider the decision to defund the North Hills after‑school and summer program" and offered to serve as a liaison to redesign the program.

Multiple speakers said the program receives roughly $45,000 annually from the district and serves students who lack other supports. "The students who attend this program: 93% qualify for free or reduced price lunch," said Princy Matthew, summarizing program demographics and calling the funding cut an equity concern. Parents, alumni and current participants said the center provides homework help, social‑emotional support and safe after‑school supervision. A middle‑school student told the board, "We have fun activities there. We get all our work done," while several alumni cited long‑term educational gains tied to the center.

Speakers also questioned the evidence the district used to justify the change. "How can nine students represent an entire community?" asked Lanetta Shields, referring to a short window of internal attendance data that the district reportedly used to evaluate the program.

Superintendent Dr. Smith responded to the comments near the end of the meeting, saying, "I apologize because the messaging of this was not in any way how we intended for this to be," and promising to engage the community to clarify needs and next steps. Board members expressed appreciation for the speakers’ histories with North Hills and said they would explore collaborative options. Several trustees noted the district’s interest in preserving a community program while debating whether public funding is the appropriate long‑term solution.

The board did not take a formal vote on ending the program during the March 23 meeting. Administrators said a revised district statement will be posted on the district website and that staff will follow up with community representatives to chart options, which may include revised funding, external fundraising, or program redesign in partnership with the district.

Next steps announced at the meeting included a commitment by district leadership to meet with North Hills stakeholders and produce clearer documentation of the district’s assessment and proposed timeline before any final action. Community members urged an expedited public meeting and the creation of a joint task force to monitor results if funding changes proceed.

The public‑comment period that produced the North Hills discussion stretched across much of the meeting and included statements from current and former staff, parents, students, and local volunteers who said the center produces measurable academic and social benefits and requested transparency about how district decisions were reached.