Jump Start may end after summer session

Month of classes already cut from three schools to two

Friday, May 29, 2009

School administrators said there is not enough money to keep the Jump Start program afloat at Green Holly Elementary School this year, and there probably won't be enough money to keep the program alive at George Washington Carver and Lexington Park next summer.

Linda Dudderar, chief academic officer, explained that federal funding used to support the program has remained relatively flat since it was started in 2004, but inflation in material, food, transportation and salary costs have not. The program has also had trouble inducing teachers to work in the summer months, she said.

"It's costing us more to do business," Dudderar said.

Administrators said that one reason for the Jump Start program reduction this year is the addition of Park Hall Elementary School in 2008 as the county's fourth Title I school, a school that has 40 percent or more of its students receiving free or reduced lunches.

Federal Title I money is used to fund extra instruction and materials for struggling students during the school year.

"That has spread the resources over four schools instead of three," said Superintendent Michael Martirano of Park Hall's addition.

The administration does not yet have an estimate of how much Title I money it will receive in fiscal year 2011, but Dudderar is not optimistic.

"What I do know is that we will not have any federal dollars left [for Jump Start]," Dudderar said.

Carol Poe, supervisor of instruction for Title I, said that the Jump Start program could continue to be funded, but it would mean the elimination of salaries for the extra teachers and paraeducators who assist struggling students throughout the year.

As for this year's Jump Start reduction, Poe said, "We feel we are serving the children who most need the service this summer." Jump Start will remain in place this summer at George Washington Carver and Lexington Park elementary schools.

The school board did not protest or deeply discuss the program's demise. The board had been notified by e-mail last week of the administration's proposed changes and took turns Tuesday commenting on the program.

Board member Marilyn Crosby, who opposes shuttering the program, noted that it has helped to raise test scores.

"Obviously, no one at this table wants to see Jump Start go away," said Chairman Bill Mattingly. "But there's more ways than one to do things."

"I think we're all disappointed that we have to head in this direction," said Vice Chair Cathy Allen. She then added, "I think this is a model that served us in its time."

"We have so many other ways to help students now," said member Mary Washington. She cautioned that the school system needs to continue to catch and help struggling students early. "I'll be interested to see what happens."

"It's a funding thing," said member Sal Raspa. "Unfortunately, we're living in a time when the dollars are not there."

Both Washington and Raspa asked Martirano if the programs at George Washington Carver and Lexington Park this summer could be opened to Green Holly students, even if it means increasing the ratio of students to teachers.

Martirano said that the administration has begun to calculate the transportation costs of hauling Green Holly students to the other two schools.

"The preliminary information is that we could not" afford to transport students, Martirano said, but added that he would look into the matter further.

Martirano hinted that Jump Start might not be the last program facing the budget axe in coming years, warning, "We're not quite sure where we go next year if we have to cut further … As the funding future becomes [bleaker], this board will be faced with some tough choices."

jfriess@somdnews.com