BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield City School District made a final decision on Tuesday night to end summer school and go forward with its new summer learning program.
"I'm a little upset because I still had hope," said Cecilia Delgado, a BCSD parent. "My kids were still excited about them changing their mind at the last minute, but it looks like that won’t be the case."
BCSD decided to end summer school in December of 2018. According to the district, its decision to cut the 1.7 million dollar program was based on high costs and low attendance. They say they will instead use the money they are saving on other programs.
“[My kids] are going to be losing out on a whole lot, especially their opportunity to learn because everyday they learned a different thing and now they’re not going to have that, unfortunately," said Delgado.
But, after an outcry from parents, students and even Dolores Huerta, BCSD announced an alternative to summer school in March.
"We believe that summer school should be focused on remedial services. Catching kids up and we’re going to redesign that program," said Mark Luque, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. "So, we’re taking a pause on this large program this summer and focusing on four specific schools who all identified in California as needing to improve."
BCSD will focus on Casa Loma Elementary, Longfellow, Stella Hills and Emerson Middle School. But, like many BCSD parents displeased with the alternative solution, they still wonder where the 1.7 million dollars will go to now.
“At this point, they haven’t said what they’re doing with the money," said Delgado. "At the last meeting, I talked about the t-shirt that I’m wearing now. [It says] ' every minute counts and now all of a sudden every minute doesn't count because they're eliminating the program."
A t-shirt given to her by BCSD years ago.
