Correct link for tonight (Exorbitant price increase for Youth Centers)
Email in or make a comment to ask the City to explain these extreme cost increases
Apologies for the error in our last email — To make public comment, go here.
Starts tonight at 5:30p (M, 6/3).
List #75 for the policy order that discusses the Youth Center cost increase.
Also great to email, address to citymanager@cambridgema.gov, CityCouncil@cambridgema.gov, clerk@cambridgema.gov (and CC’ Amanda if you like amanda.beatty@gmail.com).
Template email:
Dear City Manager Huang and City Councilors,
As someone how is (or would one day like to) use the DHSP Youth Centers, I do not understand why the cost is rising for next year by as much as 34x for middle-income earners. Please explain why families using the Youth Centers should pay the same amount as those using more afterschool for young children, with far higher staffing ratios. Why is the cost going to be as much as $760/month (up from $54/month currently) for grades 4&5 only, and then free for grades 6-8?
This price structure seems poorly thought out. Please share with us families the reasoning that seems to be missing at the moment.
Thank you,
[name]
[Address in Cambridge]
[optional: kids’ grades]
Our earlier update begins here:
If you do now (or will one day) rely on youth centers (aka afterschool activities for grades 4-8) please write in before or make public comment this Monday, June 3.
Background:
Youth center prices are going up by up to 34x from this school year to next. Amanda and Laura Owen wrote a letter to City Council and the City Manager asking them to urge DHSP to reconsider.
While Youth Centers may have been underpriced, and prices increases may be warranted, a 34X increase for some income groups (specifically, this hits middle-income the hardest) is too much. The top payers’ rate is also going up 14x, from $54/month to $770/month.
Those prices are equal to afterschool prices, where the costs of watching younger children are far higher.
In addition, Youth Center prices for grades 6-8 remain free (yes, really).
This policy order only asks for an explanation as to why this kind of increase makes sense.
About the policy order: it is #75 on pg. 54 of the agenda packet and screenshotted below.
It asks that the City Manager … provide … a detailed justification for the increased fees for Youth Centers.
To make a public comment on Monday June 3 sign up here. (Reference POR 2024 #75.)
To write a letter to City Council, email the City Manager, City Council & City Clerk citymanager@cambridgema.gov, CityCouncil@cambridgema.gov, clerk@cambridgema.gov.
Write to Amanda with questions - amanda.beatty@gmail.com
Thank you!
Screenshot from very long agenda packet (see pg. 54).
