The Park Board Program for summer employment for teenagers is being almost completely eliminated. The 150 kids for this program work for minimum wage, working in the park system. They work approx. 63 hours every two weeks with 4 hours a week spent on educational activities. These kids are referred from a variety of sources and the criteria for selection is a first come, first serve selection of kids that is related to income and 11 at risk factors. This has been a very successful program with a long waiting list. There is a state bill to fund this program but it will most likely be caught up in the no new taxes ( feed the rich) dogma. Learn to Earn (H.F. 1046 â Mullery/S.F 1611 - Pogemiller). . H.F. 1046 has been heard in the House Economic Opportunity Finance Committee, and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Jobs Finance Committee. Please------------Put pressure on the legislature to fund the Learn to earn bill. But if it doesn't get funded................... Superintendent Gurban said at the last Park Board meeting that even though the Park Board has trimmed its budget so that there are few places to redirect money, that this program is so important that it should be funded. I agree and propose that if there is no funding from the legislature this year that the Park Board fund $ 250,000 for this program from the $ 500,000 Innovation Fund that was passed as part of the 2005 Park Board budget. Commissioner Mason suggested this and I believe all the at large Commissioners see this as a priority that should be funded. One more vote and the teens will have jobs this summer. The Innovation Fund is a formless slush fund that can be spent without board approval if it is spent in increments less than $50,000. It basically exists to fund pet money making projects with out the context of a long term plan other than return on investment. I have concerns about the over commercialization of the Park Board and this fund removes such commercialization from the normal budget process or capital improvement budgets. The best return on an investment this summer is to invest in our teens. Thanks, Scott Vreeland Seward Ward 2 MPRB District # 3 According to the Program Director, 100% of the teens in this program showed improvement in their math scores at the end of the summer. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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