SEATTLE — The Seattle teacher's strike will cost taxpayers at least $65,000 to keep community center doors open for three days to provide day care.
In preparation for the teacher’s strike, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department will extend its five-hour before-and-after school programs to last all day for three days.
The $65,400 price tag keeps the doors open for three days and pays for staff who will work extra hours. A department spokesperson said the money will come from the department's existing budget.
Doors open at 8 a.m. Wednesday at 16 community centers in Seattle for families who need a place for their kids.
Six hundred students have registered.
There is room for 850 students at the 16 community centers. The camps are available at no additional cost to those students who are already registered for before-or-after-school programs.
Hiawatha, Ravenna-Eckstein and Queen Anne Community Centers report being at full capacity late Tuesday evening.
The Queen Anne Community Center will hold 50 children, ages 5 to 12, on Wednesday.
A community center employee said they had ten families register for the first time on Tuesday.
Jason Busbee works at the Queen Anne Community Center.
He said they will have five staff members on hand for 50 kids.
"It's a little hectic when we do this last minute stuff but we usually come through and find enough staff," he said, adding that volunteers will also show up from the nearby middle school.
The teacher's strike is also hitting some parents hard.
Yolanda Cieters paid $50 for day camp for Wednesday in addition to paying $300 a month for her daughter’s after-school program.
She’s left wondering how long the strike will last.
“If it is for one day we are fine. If it is for more than one day, we'll have to start thinking," said Cieters.
Parks and Rec spokesman David Takami said officials haven't discussed whether they'll keep the community centers open past three days.
Takami also told KIRO 7 if there is space at the community centers, students who show up on Wednesday will be allowed to stay at no cost. He emphasized that students who have already paid and registered will be given priority.
Some other options:
The Boys and Girls Club is available for $50. That comes with annual membership.
The YMCA is opening its doors at the West Seattle and U-District locations to member families only.
KIRO
