District review of Kessler Sports program finds small but meaningful participation; trustees ask for survey and equity analysis

District staff updated the Mountain View Whisman School District board on Feb. 12 about Kessler Sports, a vendor‑run program intended to bridge the hour between TK/K dismissal and older siblings' dismissal at elementary sites.

Director Watan explained the program's intent: to serve TK and K students whose families would otherwise need to pick them up and return later. Staff said vendors were selected through an RFP process; Kessler Sports, led by Laura Kessler, offers basketball, blacktop sports, soccer, field sports, tennis and pickleball. Flyers were distributed via site newsletters and backpacks, and families registered through the vendor website. Staff said scholarship and discount options were available.

Enrollment figures were small at many sites. Staff reported 46 individual TK/K students participated over the year; 25 of those students were also enrolled in YMCA and 13 had a sibling at an elementary school. Of the program's intended target group (students who would otherwise have a sibling pick them up and not be in YMCA), staff reported that the program directly reached seven of those children. Fall sessions had higher participation and some students attended multiple days.

Trustees questioned whether the district had explored other options to fill the gap hour, including expanded YMCA services or using existing district programs such as ELOP/Beyond the Bell. Trustee Bill Lambert warned of administrative and facilities costs of running many small programs and urged the district to consider a more holistic approach to preschool and after‑school care.

Director Watan said staff will distribute a family survey after other district engagements conclude and will return with data and recommendations on whether the program should continue, be modified, or be better coordinated with other after‑school offerings.

Board members indicated they would prefer a recommendation that situates Kessler Sports within the district's after‑school ecosystem and addresses equity and scalability before repeating the program districtwide.