Madison Township is financially reconnecting with a local support group providing after-school programming for youths in the Groveport Madison, Canal Winchester, and Hamilton Local School systems.
The Educational Council KIDSConnect program asked for a $1,500 contribution and invited the township to serve on the organization’s steering committee. During their Jan. 16 meeting, the trustees approved the expenditure after Madison Township Administrator Wayne Warner noted the township formerly supported KIDSConnect with an annual donation.
"It’s something we do every year, but was dropped the last couple of years," commented Warner. "They provide after school programming, summer programming, and learning and community service projects to benefit schools."
Trustee Jim Hummel added, "It sounds like a good thing," before the board unanimously approved the $1,500 request for sixth through eighth grade students. Along with the contribution, the township was asked to provide a list of community needs to the Educational Council.
KIDSConnect is designed to increase social skills resulting in improved grades and attendance while decreasing discipline infractions for the three districts. Participating middle schools receive three hours of after-school programming Monday through Thursday.
Twenty-five to 30 students per site are given homework assistance, an opportunity to participate in service learning projects/community service, and team building activities impacting education and social skill development. According to the council, KIDSConnect provides over 7,280 hours of prevention services to Groveport Madison, Canal Winchester, and Hamilton. Numerous activities are also held following scheduled after-school hours, on weekends, and throughout the summer.
Other Madison Township news
•The trustees re-appointed Hummel as chairperson and Susan Brobst as vice chairperson.
•The purchase of a new, one-ton, four wheel drive Chevrolet pickup on a state contract from a Lancaster dealer-at a cost not to exceed $21,270-was approved. Road Superintendent Terry Spangler said he contacted a local Chevrolet dealership to see if they could provide the vehicle at the same or lower price and is waiting on their reply before going with the Lancaster car seller.
•The legal firm of Crabbe, Brown, and James was retained by the township for 2008 for all matters other than police, who retained Littler-Mendelson, and E.P. Ferris was again retained to provide engineering services.
