(WGTD)---A service that allows Kenosha high school students with newborns to continue going to school while their babies are cared for onsite will be discontinued next year.
The Infant Learning Lab and an accompanying parents’ education program were launched at Reuther High School over 30 years ago. Several years ago, the program moved to Indian Trail.
Tuesday night, the school board voted three to two to discontinue the service because of low enrollment. A motion to delay the vote while alternatives were explored was defeated.
Parent Lynette Anderson was moved to tears as she sought to retain the program. "My 17 year-old daughter would never have graduated without that program," she said. "What about the girls who do not have the opportunities?"
Board member Gary Kunich voted with the majority in part because he said other services exist to help young mothers. "It's a tough, tough vote," Kunich admitted. Citing continuing budget pressures, Kunich said that "sometimes we have to make a vote that's unpopular. We're in between a rock and a hard place."
Board member Rebecca Stevens sought unsuccessfully to table consideration for a month.
Knowing she was on the losing end of the imminent vote, Stevens said: "I want to applaud the work of each and every person that has worked the last 30 years in the Infant Lab because they treat not only the babies as their own but they treat those young ladies as their own."
District officials said that losing the program will save well over $300,000 annually in personnel costs.
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