SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield School Board heard from the public about the plan to cut a before and after school program called Project SCOPE. The district is working on a three-year cost-cutting plan.
Parents found out late last week that the paid service for parents of kindergarten through fifth graders will end. Many believe this decision will hurt the community and its children.
Anne Logue, former Child Services Worker said, "One key factor in those kids' lives is after school care and activities. That 3 to 6pm window of time is crucial. Studies often site that this factor really has an impact. You're gonna get into trouble and those are the kids that I work with. SCOPE keeps children safe. It's past time to set this service as a top priority by acting preventively. Let's invest in our children and find a way to keep SCOPE permanently."
The Project SCOPE program was meant to be completely funded by fees. However, for the past 12 years, it has not received consistent funding and currently has a deficit of $787,000.
The District's Education Fund can no longer cover any additional costs for this program outside of the fees collected.
As a result, the Program would conclude at the end of the 2025 school year and merge with the YMCA. The Board of Education has instructed the Superintendent to execute a deficit spending plan, providing regular updates to the Board.
The Springfield School Board decided to postpone any decisions regarding the Project SCOPE during Monday night's meeting.
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