12/15/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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F' DEC 15 100V fuF 2" 8 the program except at regular budget times, and no school would be brought into the program that had not made a formal request. She was uncomfortable about the request under discussion because of the Children's Services' position. She also pointed out that there is a misunderstanding in the community regarding this program. Some people think this is a low-cost program to low-income families, which is not true. It is available to everyone. Godfrey Gipson, Principal of Vero Beach Elementary School, came before the Board and requested an extension of the after- school program to include his school. He stated that he represented many parents who work full time and could not afford to lose a day to come before the Board to make this request themselves. He reported that a PTA survey indicated that 107 parents would use the after-school program. Of that 107, 22 currently use private day care. At the present time students at Vero Beach Elementary are being transported to other schools for the after-school program. This causes difficulty at the County School Board office assigning children to Vero Beach Elementary because the parents prefer to have their children assigned to a school which provides the after-school program. Mr. Gipson realized that the private day care industry is involved, but he assured them he is not trying to compete with them. This after- school program is intended for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who presently are going home alone. These 4th and 5th grade students do not want to go to day care centers, which is their privilege, so the after-school program is not taking any clientele from the day care centers. Chairman Eggert clarified that the program is open to anyone who wishes to enroll. She also asked, and Commissioner Bird responded that a budget has been set up for Vero Beach Elementary School, but not for Glendale, Rosewood or Beachland, and that Vero Beach Elementary made the request and the other three were called and asked if they wanted to join in. Rosemarie Livings, Director of Admissions and Attendance of the Indian River School District, reported that every year they receive about a hundred requests from desperate parents who do not want their children to be at home alone and cannot afford the cost of day care. The after-school program was designed for those children. The Admissions and Attendance office must balance class sizes and must solve the problem of assigning children to the schools with the after-school program. Ms. Livings discussed this problem with Recreation Director Pat Callahan and they came up with the possibility of bringing all schools into the program to serve all children. She assured the Board that she is not out to 22