Community Education ripe
for administrative outsourcing?
Grosse Pointe could face a restructuring of its Community Education program, under budget numbers now being considered by the Grosse Pointe Public Schools board.
One scenario, presented to the board in March, calls for the elimination of the program's director. It is part of an effort to cut nearly $5.5 million from the system's budget next year, said Chris Fenton, assistant superintendent for business, who oversees community education. The program offers swimming, recreation and other classes to all Grosse Pointe residents. Fenton stressed that it is not a done deal, but that every program outside the district's core mission was on the table for possible trimming or elimination. The numbers demand it, he said.
"We have to look at (the programs) we aren't required to offer." Fenton said. "Community education is one of them."
The department has been in this position before, said Paula Jarvis, who manages the program out of offices at Barnes Early Childhood Center. Community Education is required to cover its own costs, and has in the past. But recently the program has been running in the red, which Jarvis attributes to a variety of factors, mostly increased competition.
"A lot more organizations are doing what we do," she said, citing the War Memorial, Neighborhood Club, individual city parks departments and private businesses as Community Ed's prime competitors. However, she added, the public schools are the only place most residents can go for indoor swimming, and those programs remain very popular.
Fenton said the aquatics programs are probably too popular to do away with entirely, but he couldn't elaborate.
Board member Brendan Walsh said in an e-mail, "Is there another way to deliver or enable valued Community Education, but do so in a more cost effective manner? Among the possibilities is tighter partnership with other community organizations who deliver similar services. Two good examples are the Neighborhood Club and the War Memorial. Both have skill sets consistent with those required to organize and administer community education. Does it make sense for our community, collectively, to duplicate investment in these resources? The school district's unique value in such a partnership would be facilities and reach. It is worth exploring the possibility of having other community organizations administer the program while allowing the district to add value to the process by providing facilities at a reasonable rate."
However, Walsh added, no plan has been decided on. Discussion, and public input, will come at the May 4 board meeting.
