Sacramento Parents Ready To Rally Against Proposed After-School Program Closures

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Several after-school programs run by Sacramento's parks and recreation department are on the verge of closing.

Parents CBS13 spoke to said they were blindsided by the news and are starting a petition asking the Sacramento City Council to vote against the closures.

A banner at Bancroft Elementary School encourages parents to enroll their kids in the after-school program known as 4th R. But under a proposed plan by the city, the activities and that program may never even happen.

Juan Martinez has two children and relies on the program to work with his family's schedule. He doesn't understand why the city is targeting kids and families.

"We got money for an Arco/new arena, but we don't have money for these kind of things," he said.

He plans to be at Tuesday's meeting when a vote to close four of the city's 19 after-school programs will take place.

The parks and recreation department runs the 4th R program, but it's facing a $1.5 million budget deficit next year.

Many parents rely on the programs and are not sure what they will do if the council votes to shut them down.

Bancroft Elementary student Brandon enjoyed the program, and his father Michael say it's well run and the interaction with kids is top notch. he hopes it can be saved.

A city spokesman says the cuts would affect about 200 children, but they hope they can find a creative solution to keep the programs alive before Tuesday.