With the remaining days of summer dwindling, the fate of Jaffrey Grade School’s after school program is still undecided.
Jaffrey Selectmen met Monday to continue a discussion about the town creating a program to supplant the elementary school’s defunct extended day program, but a decision has been delayed to the next scheduled meeting on Aug. 22.
“I know the hope was to reach a decision tonight, but we aren’t there yet,” said board chair Don MacIsaac. “This is a complex proposal.”
For the past five years, the extended day program had been a school district initiative, funded through state funds and accessible to elementary and middle school students. The program offered homework and social support to students before and after school, among other things.
The district voted not to continue the program in Jaffrey after a second grant application was denied. Rindge Memorial School’s program will continue, as the program became self-sufficient by charging fees.
Much of the Select Board’s issue with the proposal deals with finances and time.
If the town was to assume responsibility of the program, Recreation Director Renee Sangermano would likely organize the program. Selectman Frank Sterling said he felt uneasy giving more work to someone already working full time.
School Board chair Laurel McKenzie said the town could hire a site coordinator to manage much of the duties, which would ease the burden on Sangermano. The extended day program had been structured with a director, but had a site coordinator at Jaffrey Grade School and the middle school.
MacIsaac said he had trouble agreeing to take over a program that could financially burden the town. McKenzie’s plan would fund the program entirely through fees but for the town to break even, the town would have to find an ideal mix of students participating, number of staff, and the appropriate fees.
McKenzie said the district could not philosophically fund the program due to the financial risk assumed, as if there was a short fall, both Rindge and Jaffrey residents would be on the hook for a program that only supports Jaffrey kids.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 235.