In late November staff and board members were left devastated when they were notified their application for state funding had been unsuccessful resulting in the cutting of their key program.

Chair of the board, Ian Scanlon, said that without financial support the centre would close.

After meeting with representatives from local schools, Mr. Scanlon said that some financial aid has been committed meaning that the centre will be able to run a partial program, three to four days a week in 2015. 

He said that while it wasn’t an ideal outcome, it was something. 

“Our response from the Department of Education and Communities is that under the Local Schools, Local Decisions reform, if the schools want to support the CDLC it is up to them to do so,” he said. 

“We will be offering a partial program next year, which is better than nothing.”

Mr. Scanlon said that the majority of the local schools were finding it tough to commit to future, ongoing financial support but that the fight is not over yet.

“We will reapply for state funding next year and certainly this is a local issue that will go to the state election in March,” he said. 

“We have had support from the local Labor, Greens and National parties, but they will need to stand up for us when it comes to the election.”

The Cessnock District Learning Centre is three-tiered safety net program that focuses on providing support for students that are disengaged with education or require extra support in or outside the classroom. 

The centre has been funded by the state government for the past 10 years, with two full time and two part-time staff.