District outlines operations for Sabre Connection child-care program, keeps fees level with YMCA

The Shakopee Public School District on June 8 presented implementation details for Sabre Connection, the district-run before/after-school and preschool program previously operated by the YMCA.

Lisa Ron, community education director, told the board the district has posted coordinator and specialist positions, completed initial hiring for a manager and clerical assistant, and planned phased hiring through July to staff site coordinators and aides. She said background checks for certification are intensive and include fingerprinting; staff must complete certification and site fire inspections before final approval.

Ron outlined operational specifics: site hours will mirror the prior YMCA schedule, enrollment so far mirrors last year's patterns with Red Oak showing low initial enrollment, and the district will continue to market the program through summer events. Families will access sites using time-based access codes, and staff are testing technology options to streamline mass imports from the registration system.

On fees, Ron said the district will keep Sabre Connection rates equivalent to the YMCA's previous fees, which she described as a savings for parents because YMCA fees typically rise annually. She described coordination with food service, special services, health services and safety teams to adapt school-day protocols for before-and-after care, and plans to offer some first-day limited care at Red Oak.

The board approved a community education census figure (population 54,968) used in funding calculations during the meeting; Ron said final certification steps with the county and site visits will follow.

Next steps: Ron expects certification to be complete within weeks and asked staff to return with any additional details if necessary.