The Superior School board ended the Shooting Stars program by a narrow margin Tuesday night.
The administration's recommendation to eliminate the program passed 3-2. Board member Richard Van Rossem was not present to vote.
The YMCA has agreed to take on the popular preschool program. But the organization has not yet made any plans. It has started the licensing process with the state, but that process is not yet complete, said Mike Kraft, YMCA executive director.
Kraft said he assumes the program will start in September, as Shooting Stars did with the school district, but the YMCA has not started making any plans.
The staff will now meet to review surveys the YMCA has taken about Shooting Stars, but Kraft did not know what those surveys concerned and has no idea when decisions might be made about cost, dates, programming or enrollment.
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Meanwhile, families are getting anxious. Seven families have expressed interest in the Shooting Stars program but have been hesitant to enroll because of uncertainty about times, dates and cost, said Tracy Henegar, director of Shooting Stars.
The YMCA's list of proposed rates on its survey were significantly higher than the program's current rates through the school district. The district charges $8.25 per day for students enrolled in the program, Henegar said.
The organization has come down significantly in its proposed cost, and according to her talks with YMCA staff, the organization is now proposing possible per-day rates of $9 for members and $10 for non-members, she said.
These costs are comparable to other community preschool programs.
The program itself will look different at the YMCA than it did in the district. The YMCA will have a different teacher, day schedule and possibly a swim component, Henegar said.
Nothing about the YMCA program has officially been decided, Kraft said.
It's unfortunate to move the program from the district because now some families won't be able to afford to participate; the great thing about having Shooting Stars in the school district is that costs could be kept lower, Henegar said.
Anyone interested in the program who calls Shooting Stars will be referred to the YMCA Preschool and Day Care Center, Henegar said.
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She will also offer other information about programs in the district and community for people who would like to explore other options.
Parents interested in Shooting Stars can call Jackie Minor or Kim Martin at the YMCA's preschool and day care center at 392-5444.
Anna Kurth covers education. Call her at (715) 395-5019 or e-mail akurth@superiortelegram.com .
