Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Springfield Public Schools‘ “SCOPE” program continues to do well financially, potentially just getting through some of the worst months of its year.

Terrence Jordan, Assistant Superintendent of Family, Community and School Leadership, says there was a deficit in November and December, but the program overall remains in the black.

“I think the part of the loss that we had can be attributed to the holidays,” said Jordan.  “Thanksgiving and winter break have several holidays where we’re paying staff, but we’re still not getting any money coming in.  We’re not accepting any payments, because students are not actually in the programs.”

The deficit, Jordan says, was around $113,000 for those two months.  Also a factor, Jordan says, is that families can use the program for one week a semester at half the cost.  Jordan says he believes the deficits will end up balancing out, and that the program will remain in the black overall this school year.

“Just like with our regular budget, (SCOPE’s budget) kind of has peaks and valleys. These months tend to be a valley,” said Sarah Blissett, board member, Sub-District 3.

Despite District 186 being in e-learning Monday because of the weather, SCOPE remains open, according to the district.