Explanation
The City of Columbus is committed to working with young people and the Columbus Public Schools to improve the quality of the learning experience by reducing violence in schools. Ordinance 1454-2006, passed October 2, 2006, allocated $10,000 to the Columbus Youth Commission to implement a nonviolence program in Columbus schools. This ordinance spells out in greater detail what the program will consist of. The objective is to minimize and prevent school violence. Students will be asked to pledge nonviolent behavior for the school year and will wear a ribbon to symbolize their commitment. Program components will include incentives and motivational speakers. A primary focus will be on listening and communication skills and instruction on nonviolent ways to deal with anger. Providing positive peer pressure will help ensure program success.
The program will take place during the 2006/2007 school year with one test school.
The effort is collaboration between the City of Columbus, the Columbus Public Schools, student ambassadors, parents, and local businesses and churches. Motivational speakers will also participate.
Title
To authorize and direct the expenditure of $10,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, Office of Education, to implement a nonviolent program in schools, and to declare an emergency ($10,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, The City of Columbus is committed to working with young people and the Columbus Public Schools to improve the quality of the learning experience by reducing violence in schools, and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1454-2006 previously allocated $10,000 in Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Columbus Youth Commission to implement a violence prevention project in schools, and
WHEREAS, the program objective is to minimize and prevent school violence through students pledging nonviolent behavior for the school year to create an environment of positive peer pressure, and
WHEREAS, program components will include incentives and motivational speakers with a primary focus on listening and communication skills and instruction on nonviolent ways to deal with anger, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operations of the City in that it is necessary to expedite implementation of the violence prevention program; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Education is hereby authorized to expend $10,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, fund 016, to the Office of Education, Department 40-04, OL One 03, OL Three 3337, OCA Code 404004 to implement a nonviolence program in Columbus schools by the Columbus Youth Commission pursuant to Ordinance 1454-2006.
SECTION 2. Said expenditures will support program incentives, motivational speakers, and instruction.
SECTION 3. That for 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.