Explanation
Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten. Addressing early childhood learning means bringing awareness and resources to a critical learning stage in childhood development. Children who come to school ready to learn are more likely to succeed academically and in life.
To make sure our children are ready for kindergarten, the Office of Education uses different tools and collaborates with certain organizations in the preparation of our children. As part of the 2025-2026 Early Start Columbus Program, Future Ready Five will provide comprehensive early literacy assessment, data-driven intervention, instructional support, and parent engagement to approximately 380 4-year old children enrolled at several Columbus Early Learning Center locations as part of the expanded Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative. This transition supports a more integrated, outcomes-based model of early childhood education.
Therefore, the Office of Education requests permission to contract for $130,000.00 with Future Ready Five to provide this crucial work.
This contract is being awarded pursuant to Columbus City Code Section 329.30, which allows for the city to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts. The Office of Education chose Future Ready Five because there is no employee expertly positioned to do this work in the city.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract ($130,000.00) is available within the 2025 Office of Education General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Education to enter into a contract with Future Ready Five to provide comprehensive early literacy assessment, data-driven intervention, instructional support, and parent engagement to approximately 380 4-year old children; and to authorize the expenditure of $130,000.00 from the General Fund. ($130,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther's vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, to make sure our children are ready for kindergarten, the Office of Education uses different tools and collaborates with certain organizations; and
WHEREAS, Future Ready Five will provide comprehensive early literacy assessment, data-driven intervention, instructional support, and parent engagement to approximately 380 4-year old children; and
WHEREAS, this contract is being awarded pursuant to City Code Chapter 329.30, which allows for the city to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts and there is no city employee expertly positioned to do this work within the city; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Office of Education to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Future Ready Five, to preserve the public health, peace, 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 authorized to enter into a contract with Future Ready Five for the implementation of the Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $130,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund as follows:
Div.: 40-06 | Fund: 1000 | SubFund: 100010 | Obj. Class: 03 | Main Acct: 63920 | Program: ED001 | Amount: $130,000.00
SECTION 3. 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 necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.