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District to cluster after‑school sites as outside contracts expire to preserve child‑care access
Summary
MSD Lawrence Township will allow partner aftercare contracts to expire and pilot a cluster‑site model (host sites and grouped satellite sites) to retain service for families while improving staffing efficiency; staff said before care will continue at all buildings and transportation will be provided between cluster sites.
The MSD Lawrence Township Board approved a restructuring of after‑school programming designed to maintain coverage for families while improving staffing efficiency.
Ms. LaPlant told the board the district serves about "close to 1,000 students each week" in before/after care and that the pilot of outside partners at some sites reduced waiting lists. Because the district did not secure a single outside partner to take over all host sites, she recommended allowing current partner contracts to expire and launching a cluster model for after care next school year.
Under the proposed plan, Amy Beverland, Forest Glen and Mary Castle would remain single, full‑service sites because each hosts more than 150 students. Smaller sites (about 50–60 students) would be grouped with a designated host: Brook Park would host Harrison Hill; Skiles Test would host Crestview; Oaklandon would host Sunnyside; and Winding Ridge would host Indian Creek.
Transportation logistics were explained: buses will pick up and transfer students from smaller sites to the host site at dismissal times so children are not walking between schools.
Board members asked about bilingual/homework support, CCDF assistance and whether before care would continue. Ms. LaPlant said before care will still be offered at every building and the district will continue to staff bilingual caregivers where possible for homework help. The board voted to approve the recommended changes.
Next steps
District staff will notify families of the cluster plan, finalize transportation schedules with the transportation department and monitor enrollment to decide whether any clustered site should remain single if demand grows.
Provenance
This article is based on Ms. LaPlant's report and the board's action to approve the cluster model.
