New Group to Support Programs for Students

A proposal to create a private foundation to pay for after-school activities and athletic programs at junior high and high schools citywide drew support from City Council members this week.

Anaheim Prep Sports-Activities Foundation would be a joint venture between the city and Anaheim Union High School District.

It would provide financial support for after-school activities by raising money through the private sector.

School District Supt. Jan Billings said that a tight budget leaves little money to pay for after-school activities.

“As a community, we see the need to offer more,” Billings said Wednesday.

School district trustees voted in July to support formation of the foundation. The council will consider the city’s participation at Tuesday’s meeting.

Mayor Tom Daly said the foundation would support programs such as sports, music, drill team and drama at all junior and senior high schools across the city.

After-school programs “are not what they used to be” because of budget restraints, Daly said. “The schools need help.”

Billings said that some after-school sports are already offered, but the foundation would provide the means to expand them so that more students could participate.

The foundation would be a private, nonprofit organization with a seven-member board of directors.

Two members would be appointed by the council and three by the school board. Those five directors would then select the remaining two members.

Daly said he would also support a grant of seed money from the city to get the foundation started but would not be in favor of supporting it on an ongoing basis.