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Village makes financial commitment to BGC
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KEWASKUM- The possibility of a Kewaskum branch of the Washington County Boys and Girls Club is becoming more of a reality for youth in the community. Both the village of Kewaskum and Washington County Social Services have made a financial commitment to fund the program.
Kewaskum Elementary School Principal Tom Fischer appeared before the Village Board at their meeting Monday, August 6. Jay Fisher, Director of Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, also joined him.
Fisher stated he received a call about six months ago from parents inquiring how to get a group started in Kewaskum. He contacted Fischer at KES shortly thereafter and the ideas snowballed from there.
Fisher explained that he envisioned the Kewaskum branch starting out in the same fashion as the successful Jackson branch did. The branch would be operated out of Kewaskum Elementary School. He explained that currently the Jackson center has a full-time director and oversees the village’s park and recreation program.
The model for the Kewaskum branch would include the hire of four part-time program administrators/facilitators at a cost of about $24,000. Fisher estimated about 200 youth taking part in the program that would be run part-time, three days a week during the school year.
Trustee Kevin Scheunemann had a number of items he was unsure of. “My issue is, if we have parents interested in this and there is all this excitement, isn't there enough volunteers in the community, to oversee this?” he questioned.
Fisher replied by explaining that funding would come from a number of local and national sources as well, but to move the project forward, the board of directors at the county level wanted to see a financial commitment from the local units of government. He explained that when the West Bend center started, the city made a financial commitment and likewise in Jackson. Ultimately, the local and national organization does not want to see a branch start and then fade out.
Village President Matt Heiser stated he enjoyed the idea of the partnership and that funding might come from a variety of sources.
Trustee Andy Pesch agreed, “It's a good opportunity to partner with the schools. I feel our kids in the village need some form of entertainment which we don't have in Kewaskum right now. You see kids on their skateboards; I wish they had some sort of supervision.”
Fischer explained the program would be available for all Kewaskum area kids, including those in Farmington and Wayne townships. The program would run after school three days a week and would not run during the district’s Wednesday early release where programming has already been planned for students.
After almost an hour of discussion, trustees entertained the idea of a $5,000 annual commitment for three years starting this year. Pesch made the motion and received a second from Trustee Derek Peterson. Scheunemann was the lone nay vote.
Town of Kewaskum Chairman Ellis Kahn, stated in a phone interview, that the town would discuss the idea of support for the branch at their Monday, August 20 meeting.
On Tuesday, Fischer reported that the Washington County Social Services committed to $5,000 to start the branch this year.
Linda Dymond, who heads the Kewaskum Cares about Kids organization stated that they as an organization applaud the efforts and would like to support the idea.
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