Explanation
BACKGROUND
Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every Columbus child has access to a safe after-school environment to continue his/her education at the end of the school day.
According to the Harvard Family Research Project and its national database of evaluations, research confirms that “children and youth who participate in after-school programs can reap a host of positive benefits in a number of interrelated outcome areas-academic, social-emotional, prevention, and health and wellness. These are the skills that many suggest are necessary for youth to succeed in the 21st Century global economy and world.”
During the 2025-2026 school year, the Columbus After School Program provided effective support and services for 2,200 children. The Mayor’s Office of Education plans to serve the same number of children for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.
Therefore, the Office of Education requests permission to enter into not for profit service contracts with the below after-school program providers to help us reach our goal - and the Mayor’s vision for Columbus. Contracts are being awarded to the below providers pursuant to Section 329.30, which allows for the City to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts. These providers were selected due to their prior experience and success in providing the same services in the 2025-2026 school year.
Asian American Community Services, INC
Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Inc. dba Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio
Franklin County Historical Society dba Center of Science and Industry ("COSI")
Central Community House of Columbus
Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center
After-School All-Stars Ohio
The Columbus Urban League
Communities In Schools Of Ohio
Community For New Direction Incorporation
Directions For Youth & Families, Inc.
Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services
Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Inc.
St. Stephen's Community House
Tech Corps Ohio
The Young Mens Christian Association Of Central Ohio
The Young Women's Christian Association
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested because the Office of Education failed to submit the ordinance before the Council recess and the school year has already commenced.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for these not for profit service contracts ($312,000.00) is budgeted and available within the 2026 Office of Education General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Executive Director of the Office of Education to enter into not for profit service contracts with various non-profit organizations to provide after-school programs and services; to authorize a transfer between object classes within the Office of Education General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $312,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($312,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every Columbus child has access to a safe after-school environment to continue their education at the end of the school day; and
WHEREAS, research has proven that children who participate in after-school programs learn the skills that many suggest are necessary to succeed in the 21st Century global economy and world; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Education provided funding for effective after-school support and services for 2,200 children in the 2025-2026 school year; and
WHEREAS, during the 2026-2027 school year, the Office of Education plans to serve the same number of children; and
WHEREAS, funds for these not for profit service contracts are being awarded to providers pursuant to Section 329.30, which allows for the City to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Education does not have the capacity to operate after school programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Mayor’s Office of Education in that it is immediately necessary to enter into not for profit service contracts with the abovementioned providers so that they may begin the implementation of the 2026-2027 Columbus Afterschool Program as soon as possible as school has already commenced, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, welfare and safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Education is authorized to enter into not for profit service contracts with the after-school program providers listed in the background to this ordinance which is hereby incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $161,883.00 is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000 from Dept-Div 40-06, Object Class 05 to Dept-Div 40-06, Object Class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $312,000.00, is hereby authorized within the general fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That these mot for profit service contracts are awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service agreements.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 6. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 7. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as is necessary.
SECTION 8. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.