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Berlin-Boylston principals, towns plan half-day child care on PD days
Summary
Elementary principals and town recreation departments agreed to pilot supervised child care on PD half days for 2024–25, with families paying counselors and a facilities-use policy to address insurance; first session expected in November.
Elementary principals and town recreation departments told the Berlin-Boylston Regional School Committee on July 22 that they plan to pilot supervised child care on professional-development (PD) half days for the 2024–25 school year.
Julie Lee, vice chair of the committee, said the committee supported adding PD days and that the recreation departments from each town have agreed to help staff half-day care sessions. The plan discussed would run one session in each town, charge families a fee similar to the after-school program to cover counselor pay, and require a facilities-use policy for insurance purposes. Counselors would receive training and the programs would continue normal after-school hours after the half-day session.
School leaders said participation is likely to mirror existing before- and after-school program numbers; the group plans to send a sign-up survey to estimate demand and set cutoffs for capacity. The first session is anticipated in November, subject to final details and a facilities-use agreement. Committee member Michael Totman raised concerns about holding PD half days; the committee also discussed expanding PD time to support staff development.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the pilot plan at the July 22 meeting; administrators will return with implementation details and a proposed facilities-use policy for insurance and logistics.
