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Board approves Freedom Schools summer literacy program, allocates grant funds
Summary
Washington Unified approved a contract with the Roberts Family Development Center to run a six-week Freedom Schools summer literacy program at Riverbank Elementary, serving up to 80 students at a district cost reported as $233,727 paid from the Learning Recovery Block Grant.
The Board of Education voted to approve a service agreement with the Roberts Family Development Center to run the Freedom Schools summer literacy program at Riverbank Elementary from June 10 to July 18, 2025.
June Flores (Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) described Freedom Schools as a research-based, multicultural six-week program that provides academic enrichment, parent and family involvement and leadership development. The districts stated financial contribution for the program was reported as $233,727 and will be paid from the Learning Recovery Block Grant.
Public commenters who worked with Freedom Schools last year urged the board to continue the partnership and emphasized the programs literacy, family engagement and culturally relevant supports. Kamaya Turner described recruitment, read-alouds and morning rallies as central program features; Jacqueline Kendricks (Roberts Family Development Center) highlighted the social and emotional benefits and the chance for scholars to "see themselves in the literature."
Board members asked procedural questions about outreach, targeted recruitment, staffing ratios and whether the contract cost would scale if fewer than 80 students enroll. Staff said the program cost assumes an 80-student cohort (staffing and space fixed) and that the program will prioritize underrepresented student groups in recruitment.
The motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded and the board voted in favor.
