Grant Runs Out, but Beyond the Bell Still Singing;
The Program is Based on Academics and the Need of Working Parents," Harris Said.
by Dennis Gonzales & The Pratt Tribune
April 28, 2008
The Pratt school district has made a commitment to offer Beyond the Bell as an after-school program next year, even though the federal grant that has funded it for five years will expire at the end of this year. New sources of funding are being explored.
More than 150 students stay after school at Haskins and Southwest Elementary schools. They get a snack, recess, help with homework, academic tutoring and enrichment activities. Parents who can, pay $20 a month - probably the best bargain in Pratt at $1 a day, Director Diana Harris commented.
The program has always been based on academics and the need of working parents, Harris said. Those goals have been met - children have improved academically every year and parents report a high degree of satisfaction.
More than half the children live in families considered at socioeconomic risk and almost half are in non-traditional families - single parents, grandparent-headed or foster families. District data indicates that 87 percent of the children in kindergarten through fifth grade would probably be alone from 3:30 to 5:30 if the program ceased. After-school day care, unless provided by relatives, is hard to find in Pratt, Harris said.
"It is in the community's, the school district's, parents' and most importantly, the students' best interests to keep the Beyond the Bell after school program operating," she stressed.
In its initial year, Beyond the Bell had a $303,000 budget that covered start-up costs including the purchase of equipment and a vehicle to deliver children to Iuka and Preston at the end of the day. The budget for 2007-08 was reduced by more than a third, to $194,000. Projected costs for 2008-09 are just over $80,000.
The loss of federal funds eliminates a great deal of paperwork, requirements to attend national, state and regional conferences, and a costly program evaluation, Harris said. She is retiring this year; her replacement as director of Beyond the Bell will be a part-time employee.
The biggest change parents will notice in a leaner program is the absence of the early-morning sessions, which currently serve about 25 students at the two attendance centers.
The 30th Judicial District has already provided an $11,700 grant for 2008-09 and has approved an additional grant of $14,400, which requires a 100 percent match by the City of Pratt. On Monday the City Commission delayed a decision until its June budget meeting. A $4,000 grant from the South Central Community Fund will help pay for snacks. Fees will increase to $25 for the first child ($15 if the student qualifies for reduced price lunch) to generate about $13,000 and USD 382 will fund 44 percent of the operating costs, more than $35,000.
Grant Runs Out, but Beyond the Bell Still Singing;
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