SALEM — The public schools' new districtwide after-school program is costing an average of $18,000 per week, Superintendent Steven Russell said.
The 10-week program, created after the state designated Bentley Elementary as "underperforming" in November, started Jan. 10.
Funding comes from a mix of sources, Russell said. Roughly 75 percent comes from money that has been reallocated within the school budget, and the remainder comes from grant funding and private donations.
"At this time, we're not seeking any additional funds from the city (to pay for the after-school program)," Russell said.
The district is holding back on spending in a variety of areas to reallocate money toward the after-school program — "putting money toward an immediate need," Russell said.
With a unusually mild winter, the district has seen a savings in energy costs, which helps, he said.
Also among the program's funding is a $12,800 donation from the Beverly Cooperative Bank.
Districtwide, from elementary to high school, 960 students are enrolled in the after-school program, and attendance averages in the high 800s at each session, Russell said.
"It's been wonderful," he said. "We thought after the novelty wore off (attendance) might decline, but it hasn't. It's stayed strong."
The program, and bus transportation home afterward, is not mandatory and is free for students. Participating teachers are paid a $1,800 stipend for the 10 weeks; tutors will receive $1,000.
The program meets Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and focuses on math and English/language arts. It's slated to finish the week of March 20, when Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing begins.
Bentley's Level 4 "underperforming" status was issued due to lack of improvement on the MCAS over several years. In November, state authorities also said four other Salem schools are on the brink of Level 4 status.
"It's been a great success," Russell said of the after-school program. "Enrollment is continuing at very high levels. As I walk through the schools, I see staff and students engaged, working very hard. ... The credit for the success goes to everyone involved, from the bus drivers to the teachers and parents."
Staff writer Bethany Bray can be reached at bbray@salemnews.com and on Twitter @SalemNewsBB.
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