LTCC cancels Kids College

By Kathryn Reed

Kids College is no more.

The 11-year-old program that provided enrichment opportunities to thousands of South Shore youth through the years won’t be back in 2010. Lake Tahoe Community College axed the program because of the cost and that it says the program doesn’t fit the true mission of what a community college is about.

Program coordinator Lisa Huard gave a heart-felt thank you to the board on Tuesday night for its support in the past, with an eye toward the future in hopes the decision one day might be reversed.

Summer 2009 saw 203 kids participate. One summer there were 661 students.

At the end of Huard’s presentation she showed a medley of photos depicting students enjoying themselves — rock climbing, decorating cakes, running, ice skating, learning a foreign language, kayaking and doing tons of other things.

Huard talked about how Brandi Ledbetter was once a student, and this year she taught a class.

Anthony Davis talked about his years of teaching track and field to Kids College students and the loss this will be. He and others are looking to see if Kids College could be resurrected, albeit not through the college.

Huard, in her presentation, acknowledged the financial expense of running such a program, but also made the board aware of other costs associated with cutting Kids College.

“My purpose this evening is to thank LTCC and the board for their support and belief in this unique program. All things change, all things evolve. I believe that LTCC will also need to evolve in some of its program delivery,” Huard said. “Each year more and more of our high school students choose to stay home to complete their transfer units here. They know they have an excellent community college in their own back door. Many of them at one time or another took a Kids College class and the campus is familiar to them and their parents.

“But there is another facet to our community that has helped this campus to grow. The community of adults such as myself who enjoy physical education classes, special topics classes, and programs such as Kids College. As your mandates and budgets refocus, where will these programs be in the future other than gone? While some departments at the college may be hesitant in looking at the development of a community education section, we will either have to change and thrive or lose classes altogether.”