Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Education to enter into a contract modification with Learning Circle Software, LLC to allow Franklin County to directly access and use the CeeHiVE data platform via the City’s 2026-2027 contract with the Learning Circle Software, LLC, as part of the transition of the Early Start Columbus program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County.
This original contract was authorized by Ordinance 1120-2026, which was passed by Council on May 11, 2026. The contract allows for Learning Circle Software, LLC to provide ongoing technical support for the CeeHiVE data platform. CeeHiVE is a cloud-based web application that pre-kindergarten providers use to assimilate enrollment, assessment and attendance data, and allows teachers to make real-time decisions on instruction. The Office of Education uses CeeHiVE to review student attendance and pay providers accordingly. This amendment will allow Franklin County to access and manage this crucial data in accordance with Ordinance 1884-2026 which authorizes an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and Franklin County.
Additional Funds: No additional funds are needed for this modification.
Unforeseen Needs: It was deemed unlikely that the Early Start Columbus program would transition for the 2026-2027 school year at the time that the original CeeHiVE ordinance was drafted.
Alternative Procurement: It was not in the city’s best interest to bid the new requirements out through other standard procurement processes because Circles Software, LLC was selected due to their prior experience and success in providing the same services since 2018.
Pricing: There was no process in determining pricing for the services as there is no cost incurred.
The City of Columbus Office of Education has neither the experience nor expertise to perform this service.
Fiscal Impact: No additional funds are needed for this modification.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested in order to allow the contract modification to go into effect before the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Education to enter into a contract modification with Learning Circle Software, LLC to allow Franklin County to directly access and use the CeeHiVE data platform via the City’s 2026-2027 contract with the Learning Circle Software, LLC, as part of the transition of the Early Start Columbus program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Education is engaged in a contract with Learning Circle Software, LLC to provide ongoing technical support for the CeeHiVE data platform as part of the 2026-2027 Early Start Columbus program; and
WHEREAS, this contract was authorized by Ordinance No. 1120-2026 and passed by City Council on May 11, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Early Start Columbus program will transition from the City of Columbus to Franklin County and will be operated and managed by Franklin County for the 2026-2027 school year in accordance with Ordinance 1884-2026; and
WHEREAS, CeeHiVE is a crucial component of the Early Start Columbus program as it is used to review student attendance and pay providers accordingly; and
WHEREAS, this amendment will allow Franklin County to access and manage this crucial data; and
WHEREAS, and amendment is necessary as it was deemed unlikely that the Early Start Columbus program would transition for the 2026-2027 school year at the time that the original CeeHiVE ordinance was drafted; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Education in that it has become immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the contract with Learning Circles Software, LLC in order to allow the contract modification to go into effect before the start of the 2026-2027 school year, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; 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 modify the contract with Learning Circles Software, LLC.
SECTION 2. That this modification is made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the City Code Charter 329 relating to contract modifications.
SECTION 3. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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.