The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is undertaking a major transformation of its after-school programLEARNS, to address long-standing capacity issues and better serve families. With 348 students currently on waitlists across the district’s 11 elementary schools, the need for expansion is clear. The changes, set to take effect by the start of the next school year, include staffing reorganizations and shifts in enrollment priorities.
Parents have expressed frustration over the years with the lengthy waitlists, which have left many families scrambling for alternative childcare solutions. The district’s new aftercare manager, Joya Balkhas been tasked with addressing these challenges, as well as staffing shortages and operational inefficiencies. The restructuring process began in March and includes the elimination of nine afterschool coordinator positions by June 30.
Restructuring the LEARNS program
The new structure for the LEARNS program introduces three cohort auditors, also known as program leaders, who will oversee 12 specialists and 80 instructional technicians across all elementary schools. This model is expected to increase program capacity by 10%, accommodating between 60 and 120 additional students. The estimated staffing cost for this new model is $4.3 million, slightly below the previous coordinator-based model’s cost of $4.5 million.
Despite the anticipated increase in capacity, some families have reported that the changes have not improved access and, in some cases, have worsened the situation. At Emerson Elementary, for example, a nearly 50-student waitlist includes children who had been enrolled in the program for years. Parents at the school have expressed concerns about the sudden loss of those seats and the impact on working families.
Changes in program costs and academic support
Families enrolled in LEARNS can expect to see changes in program costs, which are calculated on a sliding scale based on income. The district has increased aftercare fees, particularly for transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten students, due to the longer hours and lower staff-to-child ratios required for younger children. At the high end of the scale, fees for full-time afterschool care will increase from $475 to $650 per month for TK and kindergarten, $450 to $570 for grades 1–5, and $200 to $270 for before-school programs.
In addition to changes in program costs, BUSD is also focusing on increasing academic support within LEARNS. The district will pilot a literacy curriculum during summer school, with the goal of training afterschool staff over the next three years. LEARNS staff working with TK and kindergarten cohorts will also receive professional development in the fall to better meet those students’ needs.
Community concerns and advocacy
For years, Berkeley Unified families have contended with unstable aftercare options. The community group Latinos Unidos de Berkeley and parents have advocated for a bilingual staffer in the afterschool program at Sylvia Mendez Elementary to accommodate its dual-language curriculum and support its large Spanish-speaking community. More than 500 advocates signed petitions urging the district to adopt a language requirement for that role.
Balk has acknowledged the community’s concerns and emphasized the district’s efforts to be more responsive to feedback as the expanded learning program evolves. She noted that the district has been through a lot of changes and hopes that by listening to everyone involved, they can better meet the needs of students throughout their academic careers in Berkeley.
As the LEARNS program continues to evolve, families are encouraged to stay informed about the changes and provide feedback to the district. The goal is to create a more stable and supportive after-school environment that meets the needs of all Berkeley students.
