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year. She urged the Board to consider carefully the recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Committee before making a decision and to work with the small business community. Commissioner Bird realized there might be some negative effect on the day care industry, but he could not see how the Board could deny the program to these schools with a potential of 300 children who need the after-school program. Ms. Quimby suggested a committee of representatives of the entire community be organized to study this issue. Chairman Eggert pointed out that Children's Services is a good place to organize a pilot program, and Principal Dugan of Rosewood School is volunteering to try such a program. Discussion ensued regarding the possible means of transporting children to their homes as a part of an after-school program. Recreation Director Callahan was opposed to limiting the after-school program to certain schools and bussing the children from several schools to a single school. She stated that it is more comfortable for the children to be in familiar surroundings with teachers and peers from their own school. There is also added liability in transporting children on a bus. Dawn Quinn, representative from LaPetite Academy, advised that LaPetite has approximately 750 schools across the country and is a top quality business. They have some cost-effective plans for after-school care, by utilizing the schools, bringing in equipment such as computers and tables for homework, and having people with top-notch education credentials coming in with fresh hands. Ms. Quinn stated that a packet was available to the Board, and was sent to Mr. Dugan and the other elementary schools, describing LaPetite's plans and expectations for meeting children's needs. Chairman Eggert was in favor of Children's Services reviewing that information and considering a pilot program, beginning with Rosewood, and possibly on a bigger scale. She felt that the Board should delay making a decision for a month to see if this suggestion could be coordinated with the individual schools to create a cooperative program. Commissioner Bird did not think a study could be done in any reasonable length of time because it would involve the School Board, with the private day care operators using the school buildings and facilities. He felt that it is a large project and needed more time. Commissioner Bird asked, and Recreation Director Callahan responded that if the decision were made to expand the program to all four schools, there would be no problem except, perhaps, Glendale which does not have a teacher to run the program. 27 EC 15 1992 BOOK ® P',V F 91