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District 70 taps new company for kindergarten programs
Updated: July 15, 2012 6:08AM
Libertyville School District 70 has hired a new company to provide before- and after-school programming for the district starting in the 2012-13 school year.
During a special school board meeting recently, the District 70 Board of Education approved the hiring of Champion Extended Learning, a division of Knowledge Learning Corp., to set up before- and after-school sites at District 70 elementary schools and to offer extended day kindergarten programs for interested district families.
In approving the new contract, District 70 will end its long relationship with the Afterschool Club of Grayslake (Luco Education Partners), which has been providing before- and after-school programming for the district since 1989.
“While we had no issues with the previous program and value the staff of the previous provider, the board had an opportunity to look at review options and elected to incorporate a nationally based company with detailed curricular programming,” said Dr. Guy Schumacher in a e-mailed statement.
School officials believe Champions will be able to provide a wider range of curricular and extracurriculuar activities for students, as well as offer an optional extended day kindergarten program for parents who want it.
David Lucas, president and owner of the Afterschool Club of Grayslake, could not be reached for comment.
Kevin Bryant, manager of business development for Champions, said the company has provided before and after school programming for about 30 years and has been operating in Lake County since 1992. Champions currently runs programs in Woodland, Kildeer Countryside, Beach Park, Antioch and Grayslake school districts. He said they serve about 760 students in Lake County.
The cost of the program is expected to be slightly more because the new company plans to spend about $10,000 to $15,000 for startup. Parents can expect to pay about a $1 more a day for all day care and $2 more a day for after school care, but scholarships are available for students in financial need.
Bryant said he does not know yet how many students will be enrolled in the programs because the district has not yet started taken registrations. There were 216 students enrolled in the Afterschool Club programs this year, according to district officials.
The district is planning an open house for families in August about the new program.
