No funds doom some after-school programs
Boys and Girls activities suspended because of no funds

Stagecoach Elementary students make a dash for the balls during a game of dodge ball after school on Friday. The Boys and Girls Club sponsors the various games and activities everyday from 3-5:15pm at the school as part of it's after school program. [Photo by Brian Leddy / Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — The local Boys and Girls Club chapter suspended its services at Lincoln Elementary School until it receives adequate funding to resume activity.

The announcement came after programs began at the school in early January.

Karl Lohmann, local director of Boys and Girls Club, said the suspension is temporary and that officials plan to restart services at the school once they receive funds from the state of New Mexico on behalf of the school system.

“A variety of things contributed to the suspension, mostly related to inability to bring all the parties together,” he said.

Chapter leaders were eager to begin the school program in January to display their readiness to cater to children in the area.

“We had to start as soon as possible to show Boys and Girls Club we were serious,” Lohmann said.

But without the appropriate funds, the program soon closed. Costs to support the after school program include money for transportation and professional staff.

However, officials expect to reopen the program at Lincoln Elementary in the near future.

“The good news is that the check’s in the mail,” Lohmann said of the funding. “We’re waiting to see the award letter.”
The decision to suspend service at Lincoln Elementary was difficult, but necessary.

“It was the prudent managerial thing to do,” Lohmann said. “This has been a huge challenge.”

Once the program re-opens, it should remain consistent.
“We’ll continue to offer service without interruption,”

Lohmann said. “We’re going to keep going down the road.”

Nearly 165 students were enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club programs at Lincoln Elementary and 135 students were enrolled in Stagecoach Elementary’s services.

The organization offers supervised activities for school-aged children.