The Aurora City Council is considering significant changes to its after-school programming, as discussions during the recent Parks, Foundations, and Quality of Life Policy Committee Meeting revealed plans to end the Compass After School Program by May 2025. This decision comes in response to the Aurora Public Schools (APS) announcing that they will no longer provide after-school support, leaving the City of Aurora to manage enrichment activities independently.

Currently, the Compass program operates at eight schools, serving between 25 to 35 students daily, with a maximum capacity of 70 students per site. The program has relied on a partnership between APS and the city since its inception in 1991, but the upcoming changes will require the city to significantly increase staffing levels to meet new licensing requirements. Each site will need to hire additional staff, including a director and a nurse, to comply with state regulations that mandate a 1:15 student-to-teacher ratio.

The financial implications of this transition are considerable. The city anticipates a budget shortfall due to the increased costs associated with staffing and licensing. Currently, the program generates revenue through a mill levy funded by APS, but with the expected drop in enrollment and the need for more personnel, the financial sustainability of the program is in jeopardy.

In light of these challenges, the committee recommended phasing out the Compass program, allowing APS to continue after-school services through existing providers such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, as well as new organizations like Right at School and Innovative Learning. This shift aims to ensure that students still have access to after-school enrichment while alleviating the city's financial and staffing burdens.

The council is now tasked with deciding whether to support the recommendation to sunset the Compass program, a move that reflects the evolving landscape of after-school care in Aurora and the need to adapt to changing educational partnerships. As the city navigates these changes, the focus remains on maintaining quality support for students and families in the community.