Vernon school board OKs Vernon PAL for before and after-school programs

VERNON — The Vernon Township Board of Education has awarded the Vernon PAL the 2015-16 contract for after-school care programs.

The service is currently provided by Kids Educational Enrichment Program of Sparta, a nonprofit organization that provides childcare services in various districts throughout the county.

Kathy Dahn, of KEEP, stood up at a previous meeting to ask the board not to remove its services from the district, saying her organization has invested thousands of dollars in the program and scholarships for students. KEEP also has kept costs down for parents by charging a reduced rate — nearly half the actual cost — and working with parents to make sure they can afford the services they need.

“It's our mission to help these kids stay in program and help their parents work,” she said.

Jeanne Buffalino, the assistant director of the PAL, also talked about what KEEP had to offer the district and students.

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