3/23/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOOK 89 PAGE:160 -1 Chairman Bird thought that the Commission would be in favor of the School Board taking over the program. While we could hire people for this program, we are not licensed. The School Board could run the program most efficiently. County Administrator Jim Chandler stated that staff is working with Dr. Norris to devise a plan for next year, because everyone agrees that we need an after-school program. We will continue the current program with no changes through the end of the school year. In June we will have more facts, along with the responses to the RFPs from day care centers and Dr. Norris' recommendations, and at that time we will address the program for next year. Commissioner Eggert asked, and Administrator Chandler confirmed that we are encouraging the School Board to take it over next year, even with privately -owned day care involvement. OMB Director Joe Baird emphasized that the projections for the next two months are based on an efficiently run system, and the loss of as few as 20 percent of the paying students would make a difference and could bring the cost to $15.00 per student per week. Commissioner Macht stressed that we are addressing this issue because it takes a community to raise a child. The schools are having a tough time living up to their mandate to educate children and cannot get heavily involved fiscally in an after school program which is really a community problem. The community must bear the ultimate responsibility. The school is the logical and economical place and way to conduct an after school program because they have the facilities and the trained personnel, but we must take the responsibility to see that the program exists and is funded properly. Dr. Gary W. Norris, superintendent of the School District of Indian River County, agreed and added that the problems are indicative of our society. Teachers have taken on the burden of after school care because they love children and know that we need to strengthen our families, but they are admitting that they have gotten in too deep. He commended staff and the Commissioners for their efforts. He agreed that June will be the pivotal month when the recommendations of all interested parties will be discussed and a decision will be made for next year's program. Bill Roolage, 11 Vista Garden Trail, agreed with Commissioner Macht and Superintendent Norris. He pointed out that our education system is important to the economic _growth of our community, because businessmen with families will move to an area where their children will receive a good education. The educators must modernize their system. He urged the Commissioners to help them 64 _ - M