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District says ClubM mentoring will continue after grant and state cuts; outlines school-based plan
Summary
After two revenue sources ended, district leaders told the school board they will continue ClubM by folding mentorship into existing 'Pieces' programming, relying on local donors and high-school mentors visiting elementary buildings.
Corey Johnson, the district's data and programs presenter, told the Burlington Community School District board on June 1 that the after-school mentoring program ClubM is not ending, but will change how it is staffed and delivered.
"I think that's one of the misunderstandings out there right now is that ClubM is going away," Johnson said, explaining that a time-limited Stronger Connections grant expired and that a state 'DCAT' prevention funding stream was cut during the latest legislative session. Those two sources had funded a dedicated ClubM coordinator and roughly $20,000 a year of local programming support, Johnson said.
The district proposed a sustainability plan that embeds ClubM into the existing PIECES program and leverages local donors, volunteer mentors and high-school students. Under the plan, high-school mentors would be deployed to elementary buildings rather than pulling all elementary students to a single centralized event; the district said that will preserve mentoring activities while reducing overhead costs.
Johnson said the district has discussed the approach with IowaMentor/Volunteer Iowa staff and that those state mentors described Burlington's model as a potential best practice. He also said district staff have reached out personally to donors who had received an automated letter and clarified the change; the district reported those donors remain comfortable supporting the program.
Board members pressed for written communications and clarity for families; the district said it will circulate corrected materials and sign-up information in coming weeks. No formal action was required; the board heard the report and indicated support for the transition plan.
Ending note: district leaders said local donations and organizational partners (the fire department, local businesses) will continue to play a central role in sustaining ClubM as the program moves to a more distributed model next school year.
