C-R afterschool program in jeopardy

8/18/2010

By Jim Poole

An after-school program that serves more than 100 children at Cobleskill-Richmondville’s Ryder School is in jeopardy of ending in November.
The program’s grant funding expires November 30, Don Smyers of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Schoharie County told school board members last week.
“We’ve been told there will be no new round of funding,” Mr. Smyers said.
Extension runs the Ryder program and others at Golding School and Schoharie Central School.
The Golding and Schoharie programs are on a different grant schedule, Mr. Smyers said, and that grant isn’t scheduled to end until next fall.
The after-school programs are popular because they offer activities, homework help, socializing time, hobbies and clubs for kids whose parents work.
The Ryder program expects to have 112 children when it starts next month, though Extension has already advised parents that they should look for other options by November 30.
The program does cost parents, with sliding-scale prices ranging from about $225 per year to $300, Mr. Smyers said.
“It’s a good program, and it’s not very expensive,” he said.
“Parents have said they would pay more because they realize that they would be paying much more elsewhere.”
C-R puts no money towards the program, providing only the site.
Superintendent Lynn Macan said board members haven’t discussed contributing money towards the program.
Like other schools, C-R will be receiving federal funds sometime soon, and Ms. Macan said some of that money could go towards the program.
But, she cautioned, there are other unfunded school programs and activities that are just as popular and could use the money.
“And the [federal] money is one shot,” Ms. Macan said. “What do you do the following year?”
She agreed that the after-school program is worthwhile, adding that supervisor Maryann Sperano “does a great job.
“To me, it’s a lot more extensive than some after-school programs I’ve seen,” Ms. Macan said. “It gives kids some structure.”
Ms. Macon pointed out that there have been warnings of grants not being renewed before for after-school programs and other activities, and then last-minute funding arrives.
She didn’t hold out that chance for the Ryder program, only noting that the possibility exists.
Mr. Smyers agreed and added that Extension is looking at other funding, too.
“Our position is to stay as flexible as we can,” he said. “We’re looking at our options.”
“We’ve talked to our people in Albany, and they’re trying to find options themselves. I’m optimistic we’ll do something.”