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Board weighs decoupling Town of DeWitt after‑school program from district cancellations
Summary
Administrators described parent requests to keep the Town of DeWitt's Tecumseh after‑school care open when district evening activities are canceled; the board discussed staffing, safety (high‑school students driving), bus logistics and program size (estimated 30–40 children); no change was decided and staff will follow up.
Dr. Darcy Woodcock (Speaker 5) told the board several parents asked whether the district could decouple the Town of DeWitt after‑school care program at Tecumseh Elementary from districtwide activity cancellations so that the program could remain open even when evening school activities are canceled. She said she contacted the town and the program director and that the town raised concerns about staffing, maintenance of parking lots and sidewalks, and safety when high‑school students work and drive during adverse conditions.
Dr. Woodcock said the program typically serves "probably 30" to "40" children (board members offered similar estimates during discussion) and noted bus runs would still operate. Board members pressed on operational questions—staffing on short notice, whether town staff can cover shifts without high school students helping, and whether selective decisions (keeping Tecumseh open but not other sites) are feasible. One board member noted that last month some closures affected only part of the district, which complicates a single‑district decision.
No formal action was taken; Dr. Woodcock said she will research options with the Town of DeWitt and return to the board. The discussion underscored a tension between providing childcare continuity for working families and ensuring staff, student safety and operational feasibility.
