Oxford School District to cover up to $4,000 shortfall in summer enrichment program

The Oxford School District Board of Education voted to allocate up to $4,000 from student activity general-activity funds to cover a projected shortfall in the district's paid summer enrichment program.

The decision came after Superintendent (identified in meeting records as the speaker) told the board the program's operating cost is roughly $20,000 and that about 100 students had registered so far, producing approximately $16,000 in tuition revenue (three-hours/day at $250 or 1.5-hours/day at $125). The superintendent said the program needs roughly 120 total enrollments to break even and that late registrations historically fill some gaps; the current shortfall is about $4,000.

Nut graf: The board approved a motion to appropriate up to $4,000 from the student activities fund's general activities balance so the enrichment program can run this summer if registrations fall short. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Board discussion and context Board members noted that central student activity funds have excess balances that could sustain the program for multiple years and that the $4,000 figure reflects an estimate that accounts for anticipated last-minute registrations. One board member said, "if you were to appropriate up to $4,000, that would be sufficient," and the motion to allocate the funds was approved.

Superintendent's programs update At the same meeting the superintendent also reported on the district's ESY (Extended School Year) special-education program: 87 students will be enrolled; K'–12 sessions will run five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; preschool schedules are staggered (three-year-olds 8:30'10:15 a.m.; four-year-olds 10:30 a.m.'12:30 p.m.). The ESY program will be housed at the middle school this year because HVAC work at Quaker Farms and parts of Great Oak Elementary requires furniture and classrooms to be moved.

Operational details and staffing The superintendent listed staffing for ESY that includes one physical therapist, one occupational therapist, two speech-language pathologists, a contracted behavioral technician and a board-certified behavior analyst supervisor, 12 teachers, a reading consultant and related professionals. For the paid enrichment program, the district serves as fiscal agent while the program is run by Stephen Giocomi; the superintendent said the district provides facilities and administrative support.

What happens next The board authorized the appropriation so staff can finalize enrollment and program operations for the summer. The transcript shows the board approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.