Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement with Community for New Direction (CND) in support of their after school programming.
Three years ago, CND began a pilot program to bring 21st Century skills and significantly improve common core test-taking skills in math and language for African American girls ages 11-14 through the use of educational software and the technical hardware required to use it. CND would now like to expand that program to our younger African American girls ages 8-10 who are in elementary school, for a total of 90 students served. In addition to improving testing outcomes for girls, if CND is able to provide its after school programming in the 2020-2021 year amid the COVID-19 pandemic (which may bring a hybrid of in-class and online schooling), access to these tablets would provide an additional opportunity to complete online work and may mean the difference between African American girls staying on track or falling behind. An additional 45 girls that participate in CND’s after school programming on the east side, west and south side of Columbus will benefit from this project. Specifically, CND is seeking support to purchase 45 Samsung Galaxy Tab computers as well as the screen protectors and covers for them, along with 3 charging stations. Total cost is approximately $15,000.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide the resources necessary to make the purchases without delay in advance of the upcoming school year.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Community for New Direction in support of their after school programming; to authorize an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Community for New Direction began a pilot program to bring 21st Century skills and significantly improve common core test-taking skills in math and language for African American girls ages 11-14; and
WHEREAS, the organization would now like to expand that program to our younger African American girls ages 8-10 who are in elementary school, for a total of 90 students served; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in challenges around digital access for students that may be attending school in an entirely virtual fashion, necessitating the acquisition and deployment of devices for at-risk youths; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to support Community for New Direction is necessary to address this new demand caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Community for New Direction in support of their after school programming, thereby preserving the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Community for New Direction in support of their after school programming.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $15,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.