Red Bank School Programs Face Cuts

Article by Anastasia Millicker, anastasia.millicker@patch.com

Red Bank Middle School will still have an after-school program this school year, but it will not be in operation to the extent that it has been the past five years.

The U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, which previously provided Red Bank School District with about $490,000 in funding each year for out-of-school time programs, including before-school, after-school and summer programs, was not awarded to the district this year.

Red Bank Superintendent of Schools Laura Morana said at Tuesday's Board Of Education meeting that despite the fact that the school met grant criteria, funding distribution was altered, placing priority on other schools throughout the state and leaving Red Bank uncertain about the future of some programs and the extent to which they can be offered.  

“Students used to be able to be in school from 7:30 in the morning to 6 at night, 180 days of the school,” Morana said. ”We are still going to have programs but it may not be every day.”

Sports programs, student council, National Honor Society and yearbook clubs will not be effected by the change, she said. However, the after-school daycare program will not be able to run on its usual daily 3 to 6 p.m. schedule, 180 days of the school year, she said.

“There are parents who rely on the after school program and work two to three jobs,” Board of Education member Suzanne Viscomi said.

Through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, the Red Bank Borough School System established the After School Collaborative for Integrated Learning, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

In addition with the funding, there were parental involvement, family literacy, counseling, bilingual/ESL and cultural enrichment programs as well as other opportunities and recreation initiatives that served about 200 children and 100 parents. These programs are also in danger of being cut due to the lack of federal funding.

“We are going to pull all our resources together,” Morana said, adding she would have an update with possible funding opportunities in the upcoming weeks.

Morana said she also plans to reapply for the grant in the spring of 2014. In the meantime, she and the board are exploring outside partnerships including one with the Count Basie Theatre, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and other community partners.