As Newton entered Day 9 of the Newton Public Schools’ (NPS) teachers’ strike, 15 after-school programs that parents have already paid for remain shuttered.
Each elementary school hosts a nonprofit after-school program “for the enrichment and enjoyment of children between 5-12 years of age,” according to NPS. After the strike was announced, Superintendent Anna Nolin, in consultation with the Facilities and Operations Department, decided to close all school buildings, according to Julie McDonough, NPS Director of Communications.
While some activities have been allowed to continue inside the elementary schools, the after-school programs have not for several reasons, including safety fears, according to NPS officials.
“The district is not comfortable opening the buildings for after-school programs or other school-related events,” said S. Ayesha Farag, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. “While some other programming has continued in accordance with their contracts, these are non-school-related programs that have different agreements with the school department.”
When asked to clarify why the 15 after-school programs, which are separate nonprofits, cannot use the buildings during the strike, McDonough said that “the after-school programs have a contract from the Newton Public Schools to rent their facilities and they specifically only serve Newton Public School students.”
Farag also said that “In light of picketing, rallies, and safety concerns that have emerged during the strike, the district is not comfortable opening the buildings for after-school programs or other school-related events.”
When asked to specify the security issues, McDonough responded by saying, “There have been rallies and picketing outside of the schools each day, which can create safety concerns around crossing picket lines. In addition, we do not have our typical staff in the building right now to help us operate the buildings safely.”
Although one after-school program said tuition would not be refunded for days off “at this time,” there would not be additional fees for makeup days in June. This is because it is likely the district will treat the strike days off as snow days.