Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Education to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for the transition of the Early Start Columbus Program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County and to transfer the amount of $6,215,825.00 from the 2026 Office of Education General Fund.
This transition will allow for a more regional strategic approach to early learning in Franklin County and all of Central Ohio with the goal of serving more children. Franklin County has demonstrated success in serving children, county-wide, in quality early education through their Franklin County RISE program. The transition of the Early Start Columbus program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County will provide the County with another proven early education tool as they strive to fulfill their mission in early childhood education. The Office of Education has neither the experience nor the expertise to engage in a regional early education expansion.
Ordinance 1786-2026 authorizes the Office of Education to enter into contracts with Early Start Columbus providers for the 2026-2027 school year, and assign those individual contracts to Franklin County in accordance with the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow the transition of the program and transfer of funding to be completed for the successful implementation of the program by Franklin County for the 2026-2027 school year.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the 2026 Office of Education General Fund, and authorizes a new expenditure of $6,215,825.00 from the 2026 Mayor’s Office of Education’s General Operating fund, in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement. This ordinance also authorizes a transfer amount of up to $6,215,825.00 in accordance with the assignment provisions in Ordinance 1786-2026, and the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
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