CMS Cuts After School Enrichment Programs Citing Budget Crunch

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is temporarily slashing many of its After School Enrichment Program sites offering childcare due to revenue shortfall, the school district said Wednesday.

The cuts, which go into effect April 5, will affect all but 25 ASEP sites in the school district. The announcement comes as the school district reported a decrease in enrollment — and subsequently, revenue — for the before and after school programs amid remote learning during the 2020-2021 school year.

"This substantial decrease in enrollment has resulted in declining revenue and created a monthly deficit of approximately $800,000 forcing the difficult decision to temporarily pause the program," CMS said in a statement.

The move means lay-offs for at least 200 school district staff, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Enrollment in the programs plunged this school year to a fraction of what was reported a year ago. Last year, more than 4,900 students were enrolled in ASEP programs, bringing in revenue of about $8.5 million, the newspaper said. During the 2020-2021 school year, however, fewer than 700 students were enrolled, bringing in revenue of about $274,000.

CMS said in a statement it would reevaluate ASEP sites for the 2021-2022 school year.

“We’ve not yet seen all of the long-term impacts the pandemic will have on the district, our students and families,” CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston said in a statement. “The After School Enrichment team has provided tremendous support for our community and we look forward to restoring this valuable program in the future.”

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