Middle-school gap in afterschool programming raises questions about city-school rec center shift

'You go from vaping at the rec center to now you’re vaping in your neighbor’s backyard or wherever that may be.'

(Courtesy photo)

The city of Sioux Falls stands to save about $2 million over the next five years if it gets out of the afterschool recreation business.

But some City Councilors say they’re still not convinced that moving afterschool programming responsibilities to the public school system will be a net gain for the community.

“I’m extremely concerned about the sixth grade child that has the single parent that’s making $45,000 a year,” Councilor Rich Merkouris said Tuesday following a briefing about a proposal to drastically reduce the city’s involvement in caring for school-aged children during the afterschool hours.

NEWS: Free after-school drop-ins ending at Sioux Falls Community Centers