JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Afterschool Program in Jamestown will look different when school reconvenes in the Fall of 2022.

In a release from the South East Education Cooperative (SEEC), the afterschool programs have seen a continual decrease in funding.

“While the program is allowed to charge participation fees, many families do not pay their entire bill,” the non-profit states. “Unfortunately, with the reduction in grant funding and revenue from fees, the programs in Jamestown are operating at a loss. As a nonprofit which serves over 35 school districts on many projects outside of afterschool programming, SEEC is unable to sustain programming at a loss for just one school district.”

The current afterschool program in Jamestown is operated in partnership between the school district and SEEC. The SEEC applies for 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) funding from the Department of Public Instruction on behalf of the Jamestown Public School District.

The program is hosted at Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt Elementary schools in the district.

“As a result, the decision has been made in partnership with the district, to reduce number of hours programming is offered at Washington, Louis L’Amour, Roosevelt
and Lincoln.”

SEEC reports for the 2022-23 school year, programming will operate August 25 through May 24 from 3:00-4:30PM. The reduction in hours will also reduce monthly fees. The free lunch price will be $10, reduced lunch price will be $25, and full pay rate will be $65.

Because the changes will impact area families, they will be hosting a Zoom meeting for questions on Tuesday, May 24th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. You’re asked to click here to register to attend.

21CCLC funding is administered through the U.S. Department of Education on an annual allocation from congress. North Dakota is a minimally funded stated and an increase can only occur through Congressional action.