Explanation
To address community concerns regarding public education, on December 13, 2012, the Mayor and City Council President Andrew Ginther convened the Columbus Education Commission. The Commission was charged with examining the challenges facing all students living within the Columbus City Schools boundaries and resulted in 55 recommendations grouped into six priority categories. One of the main priorities of the report was to provide universal access to quality preschool for every four-year old residing in the City of Columbus.
The purpose of Early Start Columbus is to expand high-quality pre-kindergarten services for four-year-olds living in the City of Columbus. The Mayor and the Commission believed that an investment in early childhood education will prevent achievement gaps, reduce the need for special education, increase the likelihood of healthier lifestyles, lower the crime rate, and reduces overall social costs. By expanding pre-kindergarten services, Columbus children will not only improve readiness for kindergarten but will be able to accelerate learning and academic performance beyond kindergarten. Early Start Columbus will focus on all-day, year-round services with curriculum aligned with the Department of Jobs and Family Services and Ohio Department of Education early learning standards.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $4,222,950.00 from the Education's 2015 General Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency designation is requested to ensure the funding and contracts are established in time for the start of the program.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Education to enter into contracts with quality pre-kindergarten organizations to provide educational services; to waive competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,222,950.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($4,222,950.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Education desir...
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