Title
Discontinuation of After School Pals Program
History
The Recreation & Parks Department, through its After School Pals (ASP) program, hosts an after school program for students enrolled in all District 135 schools, Kruse School, and St. Michaels. ASP is held at the Village's Cultural Arts Center, 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm, 5 days per week. Participants may choose from 2 - 5 days per week registering and paying on a monthly basis. Children, kindergarten through fifth grade, engage in games, crafts, monthly field trips, weekly trips to the Sportsplex, homework time, and gym time at the Franklin Loebe Center. ASP follows the District 135 calendar including makeup days and holidays. ASP is not in session on District 135 early dismissal days or holidays. (see attached for program details).
Staff met with Superintendent John Bryk, and Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds, Ted Schulz on June 22, 2020, to discuss partnering with District 135 in an after school program. Superintendent Bryk shared that DISTRICT 135 is beginning an after school program known as STARS in all District schools beginning fall 2020. This program will run 5 days a week and will be in-session on holidays (see attached for program details).
Staff is seeking approval to discontinue its' After School Pals program, referring participants to District 135's STARS program instead. Now that District 135 is offering an after school program in all of its elementary school buildings, there is a redundancy in services between District 135 and the Village of Orland Park.These overlapping services will likely lead to a decrease in the Village's program enrollment with a subsequent loss in revenue. Additionally, since Village staff transport students from District 135 buildings to the Cultural Arts Center, there is a liability exposure to the Village that will cease with the termination of this program.
Financial Impact
Discontinuing After School Pals will result in an estimated yearly expense savings of approximately $99,722 and a revenue loss of $98,359 based on the average expenses/revenues 2017-2019.
Please note, enrollment and revenues are likely to decline now that District 135 is offering its own in-house program.
A budget adjustment will be made at a future date reflecting a decrease in staff wages, program supplies and revenues normally realized by this program.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve discontinuing After School Pals at the onset of the Fall 2020 season.