The supply of afterschool programs cannot keep up with the demand from parents, according to a recent report, leaving schools and students in a precarious spot that advocates and officials say will take a community effort to solve.

The report from Afterschool Alliance found the parents of almost 30 million children nationwide want access to afterschool programs, but only 7 million are currently enrolled.

While 95 percent of parents who can enroll their students in an afterschool program are satisfied with their experience, school officials and advocates say cost is the biggest barrier to making these initiatives available to every student who needs it.

Rahsheem Hollis, a high school assistant principal of a vocational technical high school in Delaware, said the cost of afterschool programs often comes from other parts of the budget, making it a challenge for the much-needed sports and other curricula given to students after hours.

“We have to have materials for the kids. If we pull from our regular budget to provide for afterschool programming, it takes away from the other aspect of education that needs to be taken care of as well. So, I think the thing about it is, right now, we just need more support, funding wise, for after school programming,” Hollis said.

His school offers a variety of afterschool activities, which he says is........

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