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Parents urge full funding for Freedom Schools; board approves summer provider contracts
Summary
A parent leader urged trustees to fully fund the Freedom Schools summer literacy program, saying RFDC was allotted $300,000 to serve nearly 200 students—down from $400,000 for 140 students last year—and requested restoring middle-school access; the board approved LEAP and summer provider contracts on the consent/action agenda.
Jolei Torr, speaking on behalf of Natomas Black Parents United, urged the board to fully fund the Freedom Schools summer literacy program operated by the Roberts Family Development Center. "This year RFDC is being asked to serve nearly 200 students with $300,000 which is almost 50% less funding per student than last year when $400,000 served about 140 students," Torr said, and asked the board to use equity multiplier and expanded learning funds to preserve access and eliminate a $100,000 private-fundraising requirement.
Board members noted that the LEAP package includes multiple providers and that contract funding levels are publicly posted on the agenda. Trustee Dasek moved approval of the summer provider and LEAP contracts and the board approved the contract package; motions on these items carried by roll call votes recorded as unanimous for those items where the board substituted prior unanimous roll-call votes.
Torr also asked the district to restore 7th and 8th grade access to the program, arguing middle school is a critical literacy intervention period. Trustees acknowledged the request and discussion included assurances the information is in the public agenda and that several providers are included in the package.
