The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1998-11-16; Parks & Recreation Commission; 1198-7; Report on Stay 'N' Play ProgramAB# 1198-7 TITLE : MTG. DATE: 11-16-98 REPORT ON STAY ‘N’ PLAY PROGRAM DEPT. CSD DIV. P&R STAFF: BETTIN RECOMMENDED ACTION : INFO 0 ACTION Accept and file staff report. ITEM EXPLANATION : During the FY 1998-99 Budget deliberation process at the City Council meeting to adopt the annual Operating Budget, staff was directed to prepare a report to investigate the Stay ‘N’ Play after school program. Specifically, staff was directed to evaluate how the program might be received and / or expanded to other school locations throughout Carlsbad. Attached is a report which evaluates how the Stay ‘N’ Play program might be expanded in the future. Staff will give a verbal presentation to the Commission on this issue. EXHIBITS: 1. Carlsbad Schools Report Regarding Stay ‘N’ Play After School Program November 11, 1998 TO: CITY MANAGER VIA: FROM: Recreation Supervisor I1 - Harding ’ RECREATION AND PARKS PLANNING MANAGER CARLSBAD SCHOOLS REPORT REGARDING: STAY ‘N’ PLAY BACKGROUND In June, as part of the budget review process staff was requested by City council to research the need for after school programming in all elementary schools in the City of Carlsbad. The following report details the findings of staffs research and offers options for Council to consider regarding the need for after school programs like Stay ‘N’ Play within the City’s elementary schools. DISCUSSION In conducting this research, staff spoke with the principals of each school and or School District representatives for the various districts. The survey included a series of questions inquiring about existing after school programs, if any; the need for additional programming, and potential interest in the Recreation Department’s Stay ‘N’ Play program. (attachment 1) Staffs concerns focused on three basic elements: first was percentage of students that needed an after school program but couldn’t afford the existing program. Second was the school administrations’ interest in and support of the potential new program; and third was the desire to avoid direct competition with any existing after school program. Stay ‘N’ Play has been designed to provide a low or no cost alternative for the students that can not afford to take advantage of existing programs such as Schools Out, the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club offerings. The specific results of each survey are identified on attachment 2, and below is a brief summary from each school.. Carlsbad School District - The Carlsbad School District is serviced by School’s Out. This is a program that is contracted for by the District and provides care from 6:OO am until school starts and from the end of school until 6: p.m. The program costs $125 per month per person and a portion of the enrollment fees are returned to the school district in exchange for use of on site school facilities. Aviara - The Principal felt that Stay ‘N’ Play would compete with the School’s Out program and other programs offered by the PTA. If there were no existing programs at Aviara she would welcome the City’s program. Buena Vista -_Stay ‘N’ Play is scheduled to begin in January of 1999. Staff has been working with the Mr. Aranda and teachers in preparation of the programs start in January. 1 EXHIBIT Hope - Mrs. Murray felt that the School’s Out program was meeting the needs of her student population. She also expressed concern that the kids who might need from i;ie program. the Stay ‘N’ Play a!:emative did not live close enough to the school to walk home 4 Kelly - The principal felt that the current School’s Out program was meeting the students needs. Magnolia - Mr. Boone is very interested in the program and stated that 46% of the students are enrolled in the federal lunch program and would benefit by having an after school program designed for them. Pine/Jefferson - Stay ‘N’ Play is currently in it’s fourth year and has over two hundred children enrolled per session. Mr. Ahle has been very supportive of the program. Encinitas School District - Staff spoke to Sheila Brooks in the District office who provided us information regarding La Costa Heights, Mission Estacnia and Olivenhain Pioneer elementary schools. The District representative expressed that none of the schools would be interested in the Stay ‘N’ Play program. Additionally, she said that La Costa Heights and Mission Estancia have after school programs provided by the YMCA and that Olivenhain Pioneer has a program provided by the district. Staff was not given permission to speak with the individual school principals and was referred to the district office for the information. San Marcos Unified School District - Staff contacted La Costa Meadows Elementary School and was referred to the District Office. Numerous calls were made to the District expressing the desire to discuss the opportunity with them however, no response was ever received. - RECOMMENDATIONS After reviewing the research, staff offers the following options for Council’s consideration: 0 Continue Stay ‘N’ Play programs at Pine / Jefferson and Buena Vista Elementary. Currently the Buena Vista program is only funded for six months in this fiscal year. Funding for the Stay “N’ Play program will be increased by $12,700 in FY 99/2000 in order to accommodate a full school year of programming at Buena Vista elementary School and the termination of CDGB funding for PineIJefferson. The total cost of this option is $12,700. 0 Consider requesting funds in the 2000/01 budget for expansion of Stay ‘N’ Play to Magnolia Elementary School in September of 2000. The cost of an additional programmed site would be $15,300 in part time staffing and supplies. In addition, at this point a new full time Recreation Specialist, at a cost of $26,300 would be required to supervise and oversee all three after school sites . ( There will be an at Magnolia will be $29,600 for FY 2000/01. $1 1,700 reduction-in part time salaries.) Total fiscal impact to add a Stay ‘N’ Play site - FISCAL IMPACT P The fiscal impact to expand the Stay ‘N’ Play program varies based on the options outlined in the recommendations Option 1 maintains the current programming levels at Pine/Jeffe!son, by allocating $8,000 from the general fund that is currently supplied through CDGB. The CDGB funds are intended as seed money for programs and thus after four years of existence, the Recreation Department will be requesting full funding of the Stay ‘N’ Play program in the budget process. Additionally, it increases the general fund allocation for Buena Vista by $4,700 in order to fund a full school year of the Stay ‘N’ Play program for that site. The total fiscal impact of Option 1 is $12,700. Due to the tremendous popularity of the program, staff will keep a close watch on the progress of Stay ‘N’ Play and evaluate the possibility of adding one site at Magnolia Elementary School in FY 2000/01. The total potential cost of expanding this program to a third site is approximately $29,600. It includes a full time Recreation Coordinator position to oversee all three sites; and $15,000 in hourly salaries and supplies.( The Recreation Specialist position will be offset by an $1 1,700 reduction in part time salaries.) The costs are based on an average of seventy five additional participants at the Magnolia site. The total fiscal impact of this option is $29,600. CONCLUSION Staff is excited about the future possibilities for the Stay ‘N’ Play program and our ability to meet the needs of North West Quadrant residents. By working collaboratively with the Police Department, the Arts Department, the School District and other organizations, we can continue to improve the quality of life in Carlsbad. - /‘ / 1 ,.I :L. 5:= -- Robin P. Bettin CC: Assistant City Manager Finance Director Senior Accountant Recreation Supervisor - Special Events/ Stay ‘N’ Play STAY ‘N’ PLAY / AFTERSCHOOL RESEARCH ,IECT School: Principal: School District: t I 1. What is the student population? 2. How many children currently receive assistance from the free or reduced lunch program? 3. Does your school currently hfve a Schools Out or any Afterschool program? I If yes, is it a paid prograh? Do you know the cost of the program? What are the hours of operation of the program? Do you know how many children are enrolled in the program? 4. What would be the interest level of your school in participating in the Stay ‘N’ Play program? HIGH MEDIUM LOW 5. Would your school be able to supply the space that is necessary to run Stay ‘N’ Play program?‘ 6. Would there be access to other on site facilities; Computer Lab Library Cafeteria Playground Other 7. What would you like the hours of operation of the Stay ‘N’ Play program to be offered at your school? 8. If the Stay ‘N’ Play program was offered at your school, what areas would you like to be emphasized, and/or adapted into your sites program? Attachment 1 c