Laserfiche WebLink
schools, but Director Baird repeated that at present it is <br />staff's feeling that we will break even with the $10 weekly <br />charge. <br />Commissioner Scurlock was concerned that a number of schools <br />have a very low participation from minority children who are <br />being bussed from their neighborhoods, and Commissioner Eggert <br />advised that this concern has been discussed, and to get further <br />outreach is definitely a goal. There is some possibility that <br />IRCC could be of help. <br />Commissioner Scurlock felt the County has some <br />responsibility to fund programs for those who cannot pay a fee <br />structure. He believed that is a legitimate county <br />responsibility, and he had no problem with that. However, when <br />it starts to encroach upon the private child care centers and <br />their ability to make a living, that is where the rub occurs. <br />Commissioner Eggert's main concern was the exclusion of 5 <br />and 6 year olds unless they have older siblings in the program. <br />.Commissioner Bowman felt that if this could qualify as an <br />enhancement program, perhaps we could receive some lottery money. <br />Patricia Callahan, Director of Recreation for Vero <br />Beach/Indian River County, advised that the After School Program <br />originally began 8 or 9 years ago at the Citrus and Thompson - <br />elementary schools, but faded out. Apparently, the need wasn't <br />there. After a few years, however, Pelican Island Elementary and <br />Highlands Elementary started their own programs and were very <br />successful in laying the groundwork. Other schools saw the need.. <br />and came to her for assistance in starting programs at their <br />schools. She went to the Parks & Recreation Committee with a <br />recommendation for the program, and the Committee concurred. <br />Mrs. Callahan noted how difficult it was for children to play in <br />their neighborhood schools when they are being bussed to other <br />schools to achieve racial integration. y <br />Chairman Bird asked if the exclusion of 5 or 6 year olds in <br />the program was some kind of a concession to the child care <br />centers, but Mrs. Callahan noted that her feelings had changed in <br />that respect after hearing the number of hardships that would <br />result from working parents and single parents having their young <br />children in two different places after school. She noted that <br />the principals of eight elementary schools are here today to <br />testify that there are many hardship cases. <br />Chairman Bird opened the discussion for public input. <br />The following persons spoke in general support of the <br />program but wished to have the 5 and 6 year olds included in the <br />program: <br />8 1991 47 800K FAGEs <br />