DCUM Forum

Anonymous

03/17/2012 22:46 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

In Montgomery before and aftercare providers have to pay for space and the fee chart is publically posted

see http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/cupf/info/childcare.asp#

Anonymous

03/17/2012 22:03 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not the school system's responsibility to provide childcare. They are there to EDUCATE not BABYSIT!!!!!

My thought exactly. Another example of people having children who cannot afford them. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide afterschool care. As a taxpayer, I am sick, sick, sick, of taking up the slack because too damn many of you have children you cannot afford. Take care of your own damn kids and let the schools do what they should do, TEACH and stop complaining because you aren't getting free or subsidized babysitting.

We are not talking about getting free or subsidized babysitting. Do you realize that school doesn't start until 9:15 and gets out at 3:25? This is about working parents (i.e. be at you desk at 8:30-5pm, federal working hours) being able to send their kids to public school. If there are cost associated with building use, unlocking doors, etc. then that can be part of the cost of the program that parents pay for. This is not something other locations don't have. In fact MOST public schools in Montgomery and DC allow these programs and PARENTS pay the cost.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 21:57 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not the school system's responsibility to provide childcare. They are there to EDUCATE not BABYSIT!!!!!

My thought exactly. Another example of people having children who cannot afford them. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide afterschool care. As a taxpayer, I am sick, sick, sick, of taking up the slack because too damn many of you have children you cannot afford. Take care of your own damn kids and let the schools do what they should do, TEACH and stop complaining because you aren't getting free or subsidized babysitting.

No one is looking for free or subsidized babysitting! We just want what most other school districts and private schools offer -- the opportunity to PAY for after school care located on the premises of our children's school.

PGCPS can't seem to manage to run these after school care programs profitably which is understandable. They are charging 25% less than local private aftercares! it's an admirable goal I suppose, to provide affordable afterschool care -- but i think the quality is low and that is why many parents aren't choosing it.

but they won't allow parent groups to bring in better private programs, as otehr school districts allow.

Arlington County Public Schools apparently runs a very nice afterschool program in its schools. So does Fairfax although I hear that there can be long waiting lists. I think Montgomery COunty has approved vendors. Private schools run their own programs or bring in outside vendors. MANY parents want their children cared for right there at school with no need for busing --it's certainly not crazy.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 21:18 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:When I email Dr. Hite he said the program was self sufficient (i.e. income from parents equals cost of program) as long as there were 45 kids enrolled per site. However when enrollment falls below 45 it is no longer self sufficient. That is why there is a need for programs that can run at lower enrollments levels. It would probably cost more but the other option is having no aftercare available. For those parents willing to do it (and pay for it), they should be able to set up aftercare at their school

Dr. Hite is an idiot. At least I feel that way after my interactions with him.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 21:17 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:Before and aftercare is a service paid for by parents. Its funding is independent of the school system budget. The question is not whether the school system is going to pay for a program. The question is whether they will ALLOW parents to have a program at the school that the parents are paying for. It should be up to the parents at a particular school to make that decision since THEY are paying for it.

The school system does still wind up spending in order to provide it. They need to make sure there is someone there early enough to open up the school and the cleaning staff has to stay later. Not to mention the electricity and heating and cooling bills.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 19:57 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:It's not the school system's responsibility to provide childcare. They are there to EDUCATE not BABYSIT!!!!!

My thought exactly. Another example of people having children who cannot afford them. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide afterschool care. As a taxpayer, I am sick, sick, sick, of taking up the slack because too damn many of you have children you cannot afford. Take care of your own damn kids and let the schools do what they should do, TEACH and stop complaining because you aren't getting free or subsidized babysitting.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 19:34 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:
"The first RFP was for four sites" but now they are serving 7 schools:

http://www.springboardafterschool.com/springboard-schools/maryland

so obviously there is a way to add them.

Oh -- I think some of those are charter schools -- if so they don't count for this discussion.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 19:28 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:
(Dr. Whitehead) If a site wants a program they will work with our Before and AfterCare to build a program. The capacity of the site is determined by the Office of Childcare of Prince George's County. . The RFPs were issued to solve certain circumstances. We do not anticipate any future RFPs but if there are ones to be issued you should get listed as a vendor with purchasing and you will be sent a notice.

(Me) I am not asking for notice of future RFPs. I am asking how these decisions are made and by whom. Let me give you a hypothetical. There are 13 students requiring before and aftercare at a public elementary school that does not currently have a program. Will those parents be told YES or NO to have a program at their school (Not bused to another location). If you (or Ms Bonanni) don't know the answer please give me the contact information for the person who knows the answer.

(Dr. Whitehead) The school must begin with our Before and After care office if they
wish to establish a program. They will take them through the
process£. It is not a simple yes or no. Thanks for reaching out.

I think again what the deal is, is the Office of Aftercare has to be given a chance to say that there is no way that they could "build a program" at your school's site. They get first dibs at kids at your school, wanting aftercare. If they can figure out a way to combine your 25 with a neighboring schools 20 via a bus ride, they get to decide that before you get to bring in an outside vendor.

What they don't want happening, is your 25 moving to a private vendor AND the neighboring schools 20 moving to a private vendor. Even worse would be if that private vendor did a better job at offering aftercare, and then more parents chose it.... bringing the number of kids enrolled up to that magic 45! If that happened, I think the Aftercare Office would ask to move in and have a program again.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 19:22 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure the school system isnt subsidizing any of these programs?

Up until a couple of years ago, yes the school district did subsidize the programs that fell below 45 students.

In addition, I don't think that the aftercare programs have to pay any rent or overheard (not sure about that but I doubt they are paying utilities, etc.) so that would in effect be a subsidy, right?

Also, I don't think the employees are paid very much at all.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 19:21 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Anonymous wrote:
No, I think the RFP was for the vendor to come to the county. I think Springboard started at 4 schools but since has opened three more.

Again -- this is what Whitehead said to the OP:

Anonymous wrote:

We do have vendors that are working with smaller programs. If a school community wishes to establish a program they talk to our Before and Aftercare and they will be referred to the appropriate vendor. Programs are established as a community/school has a desire for one and they must be licensed for a certain capacity……..The vendors were and will not be assigned sites based on 45.

I don't think that was correct based on this from above.....

(Dr. Whitehead) My apologies. The vendors were and will not be assigned sites based on 45. The first RFP was for four sites and the vendor is SPringBoard and the last RFP was for specialty programs with no existing programs (AlphaBest). We have no other vendors and no other RFPs proposed. Before and After Care is able to maintain all current sites. Have a wonderful Day. If you have any additional questions about the vendors or the RFP process, Ms. Brenda Allen in purchasing is happy to assist.

I'm not sure what all of that means but I'll take a stab:

"The vendors were...will..sites based on 45" means that the vendors are at sites that don't have 45 students.

"The first RFP was for four sites" but now they are serving 7 schools:

http://www.springboardafterschool.com/springboard-schools/maryland

so obviously there is a way to add them.

"The last RFP was for specialty schools"

that was for when it was thought that the center schools might not have transportation, and as one way to help out parents, those schools that didn't have aftercare were allowed to add it. I guess that is the Alpha program?

If your school does NOT have a current site, I think you have a strong case for requesting one of those two vendors be allowed to come -- not sure you need a new RFP because they are existing vendors.

Anonymous

03/17/2012 18:50 Subject: No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

When I email Dr. Hite he said the program was self sufficient (i.e. income from parents equals cost of program) as long as there were 45 kids enrolled per site. However when enrollment falls below 45 it is no longer self sufficient. That is why there is a need for programs that can run at lower enrollments levels. It would probably cost more but the other option is having no aftercare available. For those parents willing to do it (and pay for it), they should be able to set up aftercare at their school

Anonymous

03/17/2012 18:39 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

Are you sure the school system isnt subsidizing any of these programs?

Anonymous

03/17/2012 18:30 Subject: Re:No aftercare in 64 of 131 PG elementary schools

No, I think the RFP was for the vendor to come to the county. I think Springboard started at 4 schools but since has opened three more.

Again -- this is what Whitehead said to the OP:

Anonymous wrote:

We do have vendors that are working with smaller programs. If a school community wishes to establish a program they talk to our Before and Aftercare and they will be referred to the appropriate vendor. Programs are established as a community/school has a desire for one and they must be licensed for a certain capacity……..The vendors were and will not be assigned sites based on 45.