Park District of La Grange Approves BASE Program Agreement

The Park District of La Grange Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday night to approve an agreement with District 102 to take over the district's popular before and after school program.

"This started as an idea for the benefit of the kids who go to the base program," Board President Mary Ellen Penicook said. "It was met with a lot of questions and it has been thoroughly discussed. I think everyone agrees on all sides of the equation. We want to continue to provide the best possible service to all the kids in the program."

, some parents and BASE employees voiced their concerns about the transfer of the program from District 102 oversight into the park district's hands.

BASE, which stands for Before and After School Experience allowed parents to drop their kids off early, or pick them up later from school. At the program, kids receive help with homework, a healthy snack and an opportunity to socialize.

Parents worried that the program's transfer to park district oversight might result in higher fees, miscommunication and students being bused off school property to a park district facility.

District 102 proposed the transfer of the program in November, which the district said was largely due to insurance liability and staff training issues, both of which would be solved if the park district took over the program. In addition, the park district would offer earlier drop-off times and later pick-up times, more activities and a wider selection of healthy snacks and payment options.

With the transfer, not much is proposed to change with the program. BASE will remain at the schools and fees will not change for at least the next two years.

At the November school board meeting, Penicook told parents and BASE staff that the park district liked the program as it was and intended to continue to run it in the same way. She added that the park district was looking to continue the program as a community service.

BASE's budget is intended to break even, with District 102 making an additional one-time $10,000 payment to the park district for start-up costs.

Penicook reiterated her comments at Monday night's meeting and said, "It’s our intention... not to subsidize it and not to make a lot of money on it either."

District 102 approved the agreement at its board meeting on Dec. 8. The transfer of the program will take place over winter break, resuming again under the park district on Jan. 9.

Park District Board Suggests Possible Expansion

At Monday night's meeting, park district commissioners suggested they would be open to the possible expansion of the BASE program to other school districts as well. Currently the program is only available to parents in District 102's coverage area.

"If the need and the demand is there… we definitely will to listen and explore that in the future," Penicook said.