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School District 27J 4-day School Week Impacts & Opportunities
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Summary and Background Information: On March 19, 2018 School District 27J (SD27J) announced moving to a 4-day school week. City Council requested that staff investigate childcare services and identify options that the City may provide to assist with services in our community.
City staff had been meeting with SD27J staff regarding programming and impacts of the 4-day school week since February. SD27J indicated that their programming plans would accommodate all elementary-aged youth offering daycare at various elementary schools for $30 per day (scholarships available). SD27J was not planning to offer middle school aged programming and would be looking to others to fill the gap. The SD27J survey indicated a need for middle school age programming for at least 158 participants. City staff has identified programs and services at Bison Ridge Recreation Center for up to 80 participants providing half-day and full-day club options (fee to be determined, scholarships available.) City staff has also reached out to other providers such as the City of Brighton and Brighton Boys & Girls Club, both providing some programming options for SD27J students once the 4-day school week begins in August 2018.
Additional impacts on Commerce City Parks, Recreation & Golf Department programming, specifically youth sports:
• Current school use for youth sports:
- Basketball utilizes Stuart, Turnberry, Thimmig, Second Creek, and will be adding Reunion
• Program uses gym 4 nights/week (request 5 nights, but receive 4 on average)
• January through first week in March
- Volleyball utilizes Stuart Middle School
• Program uses gym 4 nights/week (depends on # of teams)
• Spring program: March through Mid-May
• Fall program: late August-early November
City staff meets with SD27J (director of facilities, coordinator of facilities & manager of maintenance) quarterly to discuss ongoing use of school facilities. It is unclear how the 4-day school week may impact city youth sports programs moving forward. Individual principals will set schedules which will probably reduce current city program use from 4 days to 3 days a week. City staff is still working with SD27J regarding options for use of school facilities for youth sports programs future use (Mondays) may be available to the city for a fee. Reducing practice facilities may have an impact of the number of participants the City can accommodate in youth sports programs as well as have an impact on the cost to provide programs.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Carolyn J. Keith
Staff Member Presenting: Carolyn Keith
Financial Impact: There will be a financial impact for both revenues and expenses with final numbers presented in a future re-appropriation request.
Funding Source: General Fund - submission of a 2018 re-appropriation request for consideration at a future City Council business meeting.
Staff Recommendation: Formal action not required at this time, staff seeks input from City Council regarding proposed programming opportunities presented in the study session related to the School District 27J 4-day school week.