No More After School Programs

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By Kyle Trompeter

Summary

“Hermiston school district is eliminating all elementary after school programs that occur from 2:30 to 3:30,” said Hermiston Assistant Superintendent Bryn Browning.

Story Published: Aug 21, 2009 at 5:15 PM PST

HERMISTON - “Hermiston school district is eliminating all elementary after school programs that occur from 2:30 to 3:30,” said Hermiston Assistant Superintendent Bryn Browning.

Last year, the state paid for those after school activities. Not this year, however. Hermiston already cut more than 3,000,000 dollars from its budget, including 50 people. They don't have the cash to pay for these now.

“We can't transfer 200,000 dollars that it costs to run the after school programs. We can't take it out of our general fund. Our basic daily school operation is minimum and it’s difficult. We can't just take money out of those accounts,” said Browning.

So where will parents look? For kindergartners - daycare is a possibility, but the district has the largest incoming kindergarten class on record, and space is limited at Good Shepard's Children's Center.

“Being the only center, it's really hard to place children because we are a progressive program. There is not many open slots available this year,” said Good Shepard Day Care’s Trista Duitsman.

As for Hermiston recreation, they can offer some after school sports programs. The classes aren't everyday, but at least it's something.

“Introduction to sports, we do 16 different sports like soccer, golf, football, basketball, track, and many more,” said Hermiston Rec’s Brian Brogan.

With only days before school starts, the pressure for parents to make after school plans is on.