Bethann Miller, director of Expanded Learning for Missisquoi Valley School District #89, told the board the district sustained a broad after‑school and summer programming slate this year while preparing for possible federal funding cuts.

Miller said the district “was able to maintain our 4 weeks of full day programming” for summer and continued several regular offerings in partnership with community organizations. She told the board the district served “almost 4,000 meals in programs alone” over the summer and accommodated 99 students in summer tutoring.

The after‑school portfolio includes Crossroads/“Beyond the Bell” sites at Franklin Central, Highgate and Swanton and a middle/high offering at MVU. Miller reported enrollment levels at the start of the school year of about 29 students at Franklin, 71 at Highgate and 129 at Swanton (session totals rather than daily averages). She said Swanton currently caps attendance at 75 students per day because of staffing and space limits and that several sites maintain waiting lists.

Miller described program outcomes and staffing growth: “We also have 15 team leaders employed in our schools,” she said, and the district ran an internship program with eight community partners. She said coordinators offered 184 unique programs districtwide last year, and that nearly 500 elementary students participated in after‑school offerings during 2023–24, with roughly 17,000 meals served during program hours.

The district relies substantially on federal and state grants. Miller said 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding (“21 C”) remains a major source but that the district is “under 50% funded by 21 C,” which the grant framework prefers. She added the district also has a five‑year state after‑school grant (referred to in testimony and documents as Act 78/state after‑school funding). Miller said the state has been supportive during recent federal funding uncertainty and had stepped in to cover about 53% of a shortfall at one point this past summer.

Miller said staff are working on sustainability plans and expanded in‑kind fundraising and local support to reduce dependence on unpredictable federal dollars. She asked the board to consider outreach and budget options if federal funds are reduced in later years.

Students and staff presented concrete program examples. Joyce Yackey, principal at Franklin, introduced Elsa (a program coordinator and long‑time after‑school paraeducator), and two Franklin students—Maisie and Savannah—described a Haslam Library book‑club project that brings children to read and craft with residents at the Franklin Homestead/Carriage House. The Carriage House manager later sent the program a written thank‑you that Miller read to the board.

Board members praised the program’s visibility and state recognition: Miller noted that WCAX visited and that the district had been invited to testify about after‑school funding at the state level. Board members and administrators said they would return to the board with more detailed outcome data (attendance, academic indicators, suspension and other metrics) in a future report.

Looking ahead, Miller invited the board to a Catalyst launch event and career fair tied to the district’s internship and readiness programs. She also said teams are preparing a deeper data presentation for the board in the spring.

Ending: The board applauded the after‑school staff and community partners and asked Miller to return with a data‑driven update on outcomes and funding scenarios in coming months.