Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the After School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves LeapLab after‑school STEM contract with hourly pay change, district says total cost unchanged
Summary
The board approved a services agreement with LeapLab Science Center for 2025–26 after‑school STEM programming; the hourly teacher rate was raised to $60 with reduced prep hours, and the superintendent said the district's total outlay remains $374,600 after insurance adjustments.
The Santa Paula Unified School District board approved a services agreement with LeapLab Science Center for after‑school STEM programming on Aug. 27, with a modification to how teachers are paid and how prep time is allocated.
Superintendent Weinstein explained that LeapLab had historically paid instructors $40 an hour and included a prep period; under the contract modification the hourly rate was increased to $60 and the prep period was removed, which reduces teacher hours per week from 15 to 10 for some positions. He told the board the district's total cost will remain at approximately $374,600 after a small increase driven by required liability insurance coverages.
The superintendent said LeapLab will hire and manage its own staff, and the district will monitor program quality through project managers and site supervision. He described the contract as part of a broader effort to use local partners and keep program dollars in the community; LeapLab is also planning a makerspace and has volunteered support for the district's farm‑management program.
Trustees voted to approve the contract; the motion carried on a board vote recorded as 4‑0 with one absence. District staff said they plan a formal review of program performance after several months and will present an evaluation to the board in March.
