Dear Board Mrs. Antonella Lind and Members of the Board,

I am writing on behalf of many families in our district to formally request that the Board of Education consider establishing a district-run aftercare program for our elementary schools.

Currently, there is a significant shortage of after-school care options in our community. The existing programs have long waitlists, leaving numerous families without access to this essential service. With school dismissal at 2:00 p.m., it is simply not feasible for most working parents to coordinate pickups without either drastically reducing their work hours or arranging costly alternative care. This is especially challenging given that there are no other after-school programs available within the district.

The absence of sufficient aftercare options places a heavy financial and logistical burden on local families. For many, one parent must scale back their employment, resulting in a loss of income, while others are forced to hire private caregivers or nannies at substantial expense. This situation disproportionately impacts households with limited resources, single-parent families, and those without extended family nearby.

A district-run aftercare program would:

Provide equitable access to safe, supervised care for all students.

Support working families in maintaining employment without financial hardship.

Enhance student well-being through structured enrichment activities and social engagement.

Strengthen community ties by offering a consistent, district-managed solution.

We believe that the need for such a program is urgent and widespread. We respectfully ask the Board to prioritize exploring the feasibility, funding options, and implementation timeline for a district-operated aftercare service that can meet the needs of all families, not just a fortunate few.

Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to supporting the students and families of our district. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Board or relevant committees to discuss this matter further.