The city will continue to operate after-school programs at various Burbank Unified sites when the academic year begins anew in August despite losing roughly $200,000 on the program each year.
The decision to maintain the status quo came this week during budget discussions at City Hall, and with the caveat that city and school officials would discuss ways to cut down on costs for the service for about 600 children each year.
The City Council on Tuesday voted in favor of maintaining the after-school programs rather than contracting out to Burbank Unified, the Boys & Girls Club or the YMCA, the three other after-school providers in Burbank.
The programs at McKinley and Providencia elementary schools were once funded by federal Community Development Block Grants, but the city has been picking up the $102,000 annual tab in recent years out of its general fund, according to Parks, Recreation and Community Services Assistant Director Marisa Garcia.