A dedicated Youth Center

On Nov. 20, City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb and myself met with Franklin County School Superintendent Nina Marks, School Board Chair Jimmy Gander, and Sam Carnley, Director of Financial Services to submit a proposal for the city to obtain use of certain surplus properties owned by the school district in the Apalachicola area.

Properties requested for use by the city were the Apalachicola High School Gym, the adjacent baseball diamond, field house and football stadium. Should the school district accept the city’s proposal, the city will use the stated properties for an assortment of youth activities including turning the gym into a dedicated youth center to provide year round programming for our kids.

In addition, on Monday, Dec. 1 the city responded to a Request for Proposal (RFP) advertised in the Franklin Chronicle by the school district for the contractual administration of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Federal Grant program.

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

Should the school district select the City of Apalachicola to administer the program, the city will meet the existing goals of the program and utilize a portion of the $344,200.00 grant in accordance with grant guidelines and conditions to augment the development and operation of the youth center and its related activities.