Community Centers shutdown a betrayal to Sioux Falls' working poor

Guest column by Peter Pischke

The working poor of Sioux Falls has it tough, including limited access to healthcare, high grocery prices, and few jobs that pay more than minimum wage. However, thankfully, one problem they didn't have to contend with was finding a safe place for their children to attend after school. The Sioux Falls School District and City Government are conspiring to end that.

Since the 1970s, starting at Whittier Middle School, the Sioux Falls Community Centers, five extensive facilities run by the Sioux Falls Parks Department and attached to public schools, have provided free access to libraries, gymnasiums, and more to the public when school is not in session. Instead of being a wasteful public program, these centers proved almost immediately successful, later expanding to other services like low-cost medical clinics.

NEWS: Free after-school drop-ins ending at Sioux Falls Community Centers