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YMCA shares concerns after BVSD ends organization's child care contract

Daily Camera - 5/28/2021

May 28—The YMCA of Northern Colorado will no longer provide before and after-school care in Boulder Valley schools in the fall as the school district moves to become the exclusive provider of child care services in its buildings.

The policy change was approved by the school board in January. Revisions to a policy governing community use of school facilities also was approved at the same time.

Leaders from the YMCA, along with 13 other organizations plus several individuals, recently sent a letter to the Boulder Valley School District outlining concerns related to the policy revisions and how it could impact access for low-income students. The group, "A Coalition for Youth Access," asked for a pause "to allow for an open and transparent process among all the stakeholders."

Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson said at Tuesday's school board meeting he has "some significant concerns" about the coalition's letter.

"The letter is filled with inaccuracies," he said, adding that supporters likely would not have put their names on it if they were aware of the inaccuracies.

Inaccuracies, district officials said, include how rental rates are increasing next school year and that many organizations will be impacted. District officials said only the YMCA will be impacted by the policy changes.

Most school districts, including St. Vrain Valley, provide their own child care programs, said Boulder Valley Community Schools Director Renee Williams. Benefits to providing child care in-house include continuity of care, ease of sharing information with classroom teachers and meeting needs of bilingual students and students with disabilities, she said.

"We can support our kids and families," she said.

The district had a long term contract with the YMCA, dating back to the 1970s. In 2019-20, pre-pandemic, the YMCA operated child care programs in 13 Boulder Valley schools. The district ran its own child care programs in 16 schools that same year.

The district will replace the YMCA programs with its own next school year, so parents will have the same child care options, district officials said.

Chris Coker, CEO and president of the YMCA of Northern Colorado, said he accepts the district's decision to end the child care agreement, but remains concerned about access to summer child care programs and after-school programs for low-income students. The two other districts where the YMCA of Northern Colorado runs child care programs in schools, Thompson Valley and Weld RE-5J, don't charge rent, he said.

The district agreed to extend the rate discount for the YMCA at two schools, Boulder's combined BCSIS and High Peaks and Louisville Elementary, for summer programs for this year, but the YMCA will be required to pay the regular rate in future years.

Without the break on rent the district had provided to the YMCA — a rate not provided to any other organizations — the YMCA can't afford to both rent buildings and provide scholarships to students in need for summer programs, Coker said. District officials said the YMCA was given a 40% rent discount.

"We can't raise our prices enough to cover rent and scholarships," Coker said. "There's a huge paywall between kids and programs. We're asking for a systemic change in the district."

He said YMCA partner organizations share his concerns about access to affordable summer child care programs for low-income students, including the Emergency Family Assistance Association, Imagine!, Intercambio and Sister Carmen Community Center.

Lisa Swainey, YMCA of Norther Colorado's senior vice president of community programs, said schools are such good locations for summer programs because parents need care in their neighborhoods.

"The Y is all about creating access," she said.

Williams, with the school district, responded that 18 licensed child care summer camps are renting Boulder Valley school space this summer. Those organizations set their tuition rates and make their own decisions about scholarships, she said, adding that she believes all offer financial assistance based on income.

"Not one has complained to us about rental rates," she said.

The district also is offering free child care through its own programs at four summer school program sites for families who need care beyond the half-day program, while Broomfield is providing free child care at a fifth summer school site.

Another concern shared by the youth access coalition was that the policy changes would allow the district to start charging a much higher school rental rate to small for-profit groups, such as sports clubs and camp programs, that primarily serve youth — and those costs would be passed on to families, limiting access.

But Williams said the policy revisions only clarify the rental process and make costs more transparent. Both for-profit and nonprofit groups that primarily serve youth will continue to receive the same discounted rate, she said, adding the district plans to make that clearer in the policy's regulations.

More than 800 community groups and organizations rent space from the school district in a typical, non-pandemic year, district officials said, and the rent charged covers cleaning and supervision costs and the cost to maintain the properties. It's not a money maker for the district, officials said.

The district also doesn't charge rent to groups that are sponsored or hosted by a Boulder Valley school or department, which requires a district employee to stay with the group and assume responsibility for its actions. Those groups are Impact on Education, I Have A Dream, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, Jamie Smith Tutor, PARITY, Parent Engagement Network, Intercambio and Thorne Nature Bike Fair.

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