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Buffalo district slow in adding after-school programs

WBFO News file photo

Many students in some of Buffalo's most-troubled schools aren't receiving afterschool help, as the district deals with new procedures and the expanded Say Yes to Education program.

The District Parent Coordinating Council is furious the district won't have some of the after school sessions starting up until January.

Schools Superintendent Pamela Brown says they are part of an extended day which served 44 of 58 schools last year. This year, more schools will be served but it takes time to get the classes started in the fall.

"That's why we made sure that the programs were in place for 44 of our schools this past year," Brown said.

"We do believe those programs are important. But we also have to make sure that we have everything in place so that the programs are of high quality and that they meet the specifications that are necessary so that they are effective."

Brown says the goal next year is to have the programs start up in October because starting when school opens is too complicated. She says there will be more schools receiving the extra academic support once all of the programs are open this January.

DPCC President Sam Radford says students are penalized when the program starts up late.

"Students are going to not be in a position to perform as well or learn as much effectively because the supports have not been in place. This is the second year in a row we've been told this about afterschool," said Radford. "It's been literally cut in half," said Radford. 
 

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.