By Barbara Jones, LA Daily News Staff Writer, http://bit.ly/NQjQs4
5:55:51 PM PDT :: Los Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy announced late Wednesday he'll find $7 million to continue the after-school programs that serve some 42,000 kids daily.
The 11th hour reprieve means the supervised activities at the district's 564 elementary and middle schools will continue in the 2012-13 school year, which begins Aug. 14. Deasy had proposed eliminating the program, operated by the district's Beyond the Bell branch, in a money-saving move.
"Though funding is extremely tight, we must do all that we can to preserve vital programs that serve some 42,000 children across the city," Deasy said.
Parents had mobilized in opposition to Deasy's proposal to eliminate the $7 million program. The City Council cast a symbolic vote on Tuesday opposing the cut, and Deasy said that all seven school board members had asked him to preserve the program.
The board will vote today on the $6.3 billion budget for fiscal 2012. Deasy said he'll present the board with several options for continuing the Beyond the Bell program.
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