City school board approves Persell after school program
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The Jamestown Public School Board of Education has approved a contract with the Jamestown Area YMCA to operate an after-school program at Persell Middle School.
The contract calls for the after-school program to run from Oct. 13, 2026, to June 30, 2027, on school days from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be valued at $129,710.00. The middle school has not previously offered an after school program.
The Independent Contractor Agreement between the YMCA and JPS specifies a total monthly payment to be paid to the YMCA, with no other out-of-pocket costs to be reimbursed.
John Barber, the chief executive officer of the Jamestown Area YMCA, said, "This program will provide a stable, daily, secure, enrichment location for students at Persell Middle School."
While the Y has experience in providing child care and after-school programming, this program represents a new venture for the non-profit organization. However, the Y’s leadership team aims to be strong partners with the school district and those whom they will serve.
"The Y has a Teen Center at our Downtown Branch," said Barber. "We consider the Persell School location a pilot program. Our goal is to provide support and be good partners with the school district, families, and the kids in our program."
Barber reported that the Y is currently accepting applications for positions with the Persell after-school program.
For more information about the YMCA and JPS after-school program, contact Gina Bloomquist, the Y's School Age & Family Director, at 716-664-2802. Ext. 222 or email at GBloomquist@jamestownymca.org
In other business:
-The board approved the Instructional Tenure of Kristy Winchester, who currently works at Fletcher Elementary School (birth-sixth grade) in Literacy.
– The board unanimously approved a contract with Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. to provide a Rooted in Process program. Natural Dye, Indigo, and Photographic Printmaking Workshop for Art Educators.