The town is moving forward with plans for municipally-run after school programs for children in Palmerston and Harriston.
In a report at the April 24 council meeting, recreation services manager Matt Lubbers explained staff recommend a phased approach with a program being initiated in Palmerston in the first year and a program in Harriston added as demand warrants.
In January council authorized staff to submit a proposal to the Upper Grand District School Board for provision of after-school programming for students in Grades 1 to 6.
“The school board has notified the town that they are prepared to accept our proposal, subject to proof of insurance as well as proof of purchase of a service fee subsidy agreement in good standing with the county prior to Aug. 31,” Lubbers stated in his report.
Beginning last September, the provincial government required school boards across Ontario ensure the provision of before-and-after school programs in each elementary school for students in kindergarten to Grade 6 where there is sufficient demand.
In his report, Lubbers noted registration revenue is expected to fluctuate based on attendance and a daily rate around $10 per child is being charged at nearby after school programs. Up to 15 students can be supervised by one staff person. Up to 30 are permitted in a program and would require two staff people.
The report projects it would cost just under $23,000 to operate a program for up to 15 children at one location.
Lubbers noted the program would have to grow from 12 children to 24 children to make operating two sites approach cost recovery.
“Since the town operates summer and March Break programming with some success, some parents may choose a Minto option for their after school child care if it were available,” the report states.
“The town anticipates some synergies between its current programming and the proposed after school program. Since Palmerston has more interest and would only have to grow a few children to approach cost recovery, the town could begin with Palmerston in 2018-19 and branch into Harriston in 2019-20. The intent would be to market the program over the spring and summer with availability for fall 2018.”
An online survey conducted by the school board indicated eight students interested at Palmerston Public School and four at Minto-Clifford Public School in Harriston.
Councillor Ron Faulkner said he knew of far more parents likely to be interested and was surprised at the small number of respondents.
“Just in my son’s block alone, I think there were six new kids the last two years, new babies. How did they determine that?”
Lubbers noted parents received an invitation to participate in the online survey.
“Okay, never mind,” said Faulkner, upon being informed the survey was done online.
“They don’t push it,” commented Mayor George Bridge. He noted he was confident participation numbers will be higher than the survey indicates.
“I think once people know what it is, and how much they are going be able to do it for, my concern would be we’ll get too many,” the mayor stated.
Councillor Judy Dirksen asked if there was any room for negotiation with the school board in the event of lower participation.
Lubbers replied there should be “some room for negotiation” on areas such as the cost to the town to rent space from the schools to run the program.
