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District consolidates STARS Expanded Learning program, reporting roughly $22M braided funding to serve 3,000 students
Summary
School district leaders described the new STARS Expanded Learning Program, saying it combines multiple funding streams (ELOP, ACES, community schools) to support before/after school programming, teacher-led enrichment and 30 days of intersessions, serving about 3,000 students across 17 sites and using braided funds for staffing, meals and transportation.
Assistant Superintendent/Executive Director Bob Ehart and district coordinator London Dues presented an overview of the newly consolidated STARS Expanded Learning Program at the June 9 board meeting, explaining how the district is braiding multiple funding streams to expand before- and after-school opportunities.
Dues described STARS as a single comprehensive program that combines the district’s extended day, teacher-led enrichment and intersession programs. "Supporting more than 3,000 students across 17 sites takes strong partnership and thoughtful planning," Dues said, and added that the program supports academics, enrichment, leadership and family engagement.
Ehart outlined funding: for the 2025–26 school year the district received approximately $11.1 million in ELOP funding plus $10.9 million in carryover funds, which he described together as roughly $22.0 million available to support expanded learning; he also referenced approximately $1.8 million in additional funding sources. Those braided funds are being used for staffing (Ehart said nearly 1,000 positions are involved across extended day, teacher-led and intersession programs), transportation, meals and facility support such as custodial services and portables.
The STARS program includes teacher-led enrichment classes (STEM, arts, cooking, music, sports), 30 days of intersession programming and expanded supports intended to recover learning and support attendance. The district said it expects to launch a 2026 summer session with a "Magic Passport World Tour" theme and to provide take-home learning bags for participating students.
Board members asked about carryover and whether the district expects to return state funds; district staff said they are closely monitoring spending cycles and currently do not anticipate returning significant funds, citing multiyear spending windows for ELOP funding.
What happens next: staff will continue implementation and provide updates; board members were asked to promote registration for summer sessions starting the next day.
