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Shakopee district readies to run Saber Connection child‑care program; hires, certifications and access codes planned
Summary
The district detailed plans to transition Saber Connection from YMCA operations to district management with site staffing, certification (fingerprinting, fire inspections), curriculum alignment, access codes for families and a July 1 procurement deadline for supplies; fees will remain the same as last year.
The Shakopee Public School District presented a multi‑part implementation plan to operate its Saber Connection before‑ and after‑school child‑care program under district management beginning this fall. Community education director Lisa Ron told the board the district intends to match the YMCA's hours and fees for families this year while hiring a manager, clerical support, specialists and coordinators across elementary sites.
Ron said the district has started the intensive certification process required for child‑care programs even though schools operate under district authority rather than a private license: background checks and fingerprinting are underway, and site‑specific fire inspections required by the certification process are being scheduled. Families will receive access codes that permit entry during specified hours and the district will be able to audit access attempts.
The presentation covered staffing and curriculum plans: two specialists were expected to start July 1 to oversee youth development and curriculum for middle and high school levels; site coordinators and additional aides will be hired through July. Ron described efforts to align Saber Connection programming with school‑day goals (PBIS and restorative practices), and to recruit high‑school students as aides for some roles.
On operations and outreach, staff said they will keep fees consistent with last year’s YMCA rates to reduce cost impact on families and plan a marketing push through August and community partners, including county family resource centers and the public library. Ron told the board the supply ordering target is July 1 so materials arrive in the next fiscal year.
"We should get our final approval hopefully by next month so that families can go in and apply through the county," Ron said, describing the certification timeline.
The board did not take an action vote on program operations at the meeting; staff asked for questions and will return with any final operational details and certification confirmations as they are completed.
