Lack of funding keeps numbers low
Read more: Local, State, Education, Community
KEOKUK, IA. -- The Keokuk Kid Zone program provides before and after school supervision. It also, through games, computers and other activities enhances kids' learning in subjects such as math, reading and writing. But due to lack of funding, this helpful tool could soon longer be of use in the community. Grants given to the program from the government expired, leaving it to fend for itself.
"In the past, when it was free, I felt it was really critical because we had so many attendees. This year, we have few attendees. I just hope the kids are doing worthwhile activities and getting their homework done," said Laurie Mendenhall.
Laurie Mendenhall is the Kid Zone Program Director. She told me with this year's stripped budget, there are no educational field trips. And new this year, a fee for a program that once was free. The program charges a one time $15 fee and $25 per week for each child. Those fees may be why attendance is down. So to help curb the costs, the school district, along with the program have come up with ways to alleviate parent's wallets.
"We know that 1 child might not be too bad, but if you have 3 children and you're paying $5 a week for each one, that cuts into the people with larger families, that cuts into their budgets," she says.
Students who qualify for reduced lunch or free lunch will pay less. To help the program, the school board has given at least $50,000 from its at risk funds to help the program. They plan to vote at a later time whether or not to fund the program from its general budget.
"The board sees it as a multi-faceted answer to the financial problem. The district has a commitment to this program," said Dr. Wilson Davis.
Mendenhall says she will continue to write grants to help with the program to ensure that no child is left behind. Mendenhall expects attendance to increase as the weather gets colder, and students pick up more homework. The community has stepped up as well to help the program.
Small businesses, corporations, and individuals have donated more than $5,000. That money is able to support 28 students for at least 40 days.
If you would like to sponsor a child, contact the Keokuk School District. Just ask for the Kid Zone program.
