That the City Manager is requested to provide to the City Council a detailed justification for the increased fees for Youth Centers for the 2024-2025 school year

O-9 FIRST IN COUNCIL June 3, 2024 City of Cambridge MAYOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR TONER COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER WHEREAS: The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) has announced a significant increase in tuition fees for Youth Centers, specifically affecting 4th and 5th graders, with fees rising up to 34 times more for the 2024-2025 school year for some families; and WHEREAS: For the 2023-2024 school year, the tuition for 4th and 5th graders was $54.55 per month for families of four making over $149,000 per year, while for the 2024-2025 school year, the tuition will increase to $764 per month for the same families; and WHEREAS: The new fees are equivalent to those of programs for younger children who require more supervision, yet grades 6-8 receive Youth Center programs for free regardless of income, rendering the high fees for 4th and 5th graders unjustifiable; and WHEREAS: It is the City Council’s understanding that DHSP has not provided a clear explanation for the drastic increase in fees or detailed the intended use of the additional funds; and WHEREAS: There is a pressing need for a fair and equitable pricing structure to ensure that all children in Cambridge can participate in Youth Center programs; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide to the City Council a detailed justification for the increased fees, including the rationale behind the decision, what outreach has been conducted to explain these changes to the community, and what measures the City can and will take to mitigate the financial burden on families using the youth centers; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.