This Week: Some Sacramento K-6 campuses could lose after-school programs

O.W. Erlewine Elementary School, where a student works on his handwriting in 2005, is one of four Sacramento City Unified campuses that could lose its 4th “R” program, which provides child care before and after school. Autumn Payne Sacramento Bee file

Some Sacramento elementary campuses could lose their after-school programs in a proposal the City Council is scheduled to discuss Tuesday.

The city provides before- and after-school care at Sacramento City Unified campuses through its 4th “R” and START programs. But those operations face a combined $1.5 million deficit next fiscal year, largely due to higher employee costs and insufficient state subsidies for low-income students, according to city officials.

City staff recommend closing 4th “R” at four elementary schools: Golden Empire, Caroline Wenzel, Hubert H. Bancroft and O.W. Erlewine. City recreation manager Alan Tomiyama said those four were identified as the least financially sustainable. To save money, the city would cut staff and stop leasing office space from the Sacramento City Unified School District.

At 18 Sacramento City Unified campuses, city officials also recommend closure of START, a free after-school program aimed at serving low-income students. Tomiyama said START’s employee costs have become too high to sustain, and some city schools have chosen other after-school providers that rely on nonunion workers.

Unlike 4th “R,” for which no alternative exists, START services can be replaced by other after-school programs on those 18 campuses, according to district spokesman Gabe Ross. The closures would not occur until after this school year.

Kevin Yamamura

Tour of West Nature Area planned at former air base

The U.S. Air Force will sponsor a tour of the West Nature Area at the former McClellan Air Force Base from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Long-term conservation plans for the 220-acre wildlife preserve will be featured, and Air Force personnel will discuss the area’s remediation and restoration. Visitors are asked to park in a lot next to Watt Avenue at the end of Olson Street and meet in the Air Force building, where they will take vans or carpool to the nature area. The event is part of Creek Week activities.

Info: www.creekweek.net/activities.html

Land swap to be discussed at open house

The U.S. Forest Service will hold an open house Wednesday in Camino to discuss a proposed land swap with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The proposed Iowa Hill/Gerle Meadow Land Exchange involves the site for SMUD’s proposed Iowa Hill pumped storage facility. The proposal calls for the Forest Service to exchange three contiguous Iowa Hill parcels totaling 433 acres for a 325-acre parcel owned by SMUD and known as Gerle Meadow. If the proposed exchange were implemented, fee title to the Iowa Hill property would be conveyed to SMUD, and the Forest Service would no longer own any of the land underlying the proposed pumped storage facility, which was granted a license in 2014 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, according to a Forest Service news release.

SMUD proposes to pump water from an existing reservoir at Slab Creek uphill to a reservoir that would be built on the hilltop. Water would be stored in the upper reservoir and released to generate power during periods of peak demand.

The Eldorado National Forest staff is preparing an environmental assessment for the proposed land exchange and is seeking public comment. Wednesday’s open house is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Camino School, 3060 Snows Road, Camino. SMUD and Forest Service representatives will discuss the proposed exchange and provide project information.

Info: www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

Vietnam film to be screened at KVIE studios

The Oscar-nominated documentary “American Experience: Last Days in Vietnam” will be screened at 6 p.m. Thursday at KVIE Studios, 2030 W. El Camino Ave. in Sacramento. The film portrays the chaotic final days of the war as the North Vietnamese Army closed in on Saigon. There will be a Q&A session after the screening. The film will premiere on KVIE and PBS stations nationwide on April 28.

Info: www.kvie.org/events

Student fashion show set at auto museum

Sacramento State’s Student Fashion Association will hold its annual fashion show, which will include pieces from student designers and stylists from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St. in Sacramento. Audience members will vote for their favorite designer and stylist.

Info: www.facebook.com/SFA.SacState.Board

Classic cars to be displayed in Carmichael

The annual Carmichael Elks Classic Car Show is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Elks Lodge, 5631 Cypress Ave. Hot rods, pickup trucks, muscle cars and cruisers will be featured. There also will be a car parts-only swap meet. Proceeds will benefit the Carmichael Elks Lodge #2103.

Info: (916) 489-2103

Popular Picnic Day returns Saturday in Davis

UC Davis Picnic Day returns Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the campus, 1 Shields Drive. More than 200 events will take place throughout the campus, including exhibits, shows, competitions, demonstrations, entertainment and more. All events and parking are free.

Info: http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu

This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 3:14 PM with the headline "This Week: Some Sacramento K-6 campuses could lose after-school programs."