No More Subsidies For After-School Kids In Hawaii
The education budget squeeze is hitting Hawaii families again. Families with multiple children in the After-School Plus Program will no longer get a break on fees.
Last spring, the Hawaii State Board of Education voted to increase A+ monthly fees to $80 per child, with a $5 discount for the second child in a family and a $10 discount for each subsequent child. The Department of Education subsidized the remainder of the cost.
Beginning this fall, all students will pay a single flat rate of $85 per month, although the Department of Human Services will continue to cover the full cost for families who qualify for reduced-price or free lunch.
DHS has agreed to provide $6.4 million to the A+ Program for those children.
“We do not consider (A+) part of the core educational program,” explained Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi when she presented to the Hawaii State Board of Education.. “It’s always been very clear that it’s about taking care of kids after school, which is important, but it’s not part of our core mission.”
The board approved the recommendation at its regular meeting Tuesday.
