Explanation
Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten. Kindergarten readiness is a multidimensional construct reflecting young children’s preparedness for instruction in areas related to both academic and social-emotional skills. Children who arrive to kindergarten with limited readiness in one or more of these areas face challenges in the transition into the kindergarten setting, and are susceptible to academic achievement over time.
Participation in quality early childhood education can provide an important mechanism for developing children’s school readiness; likewise, certain intentional parenting practices, such as shared book-reading and numeracy discussions, also can support school readiness. However, not all children have access to quality early learning programs and/or intentional parenting practices.
Because of this, we have partnered for the last four years with the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at Ohio State University on the Summer Success program, a four-week intensive summer readiness ‘camp’ for children without prior ECE experience and those who may not have sufficient supports at home for developing key readiness skills.
Before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department and the Crane Center planned to expand the program with cohorts in Linden and the Hilltop, and one cohort in the South-Western City Schools District. However, due to continued social distancing guidelines, the programming will be 100 percent virtual and will include blended-learning opportunities featuring video chats with explicit instruction provided by Summer Success teachers, parent-mediated media experiences, and home- learning resources.
Therefore, the Department of Education requests permission to contract with the Crane Center to provide this crucial work.
This contract is being awarded pursuant to Chapter 329, which allows for the City to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts. This organization was selected due to their prior experience and success in providing the same services in 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract ($92,618.00) is available within the 2020 Department of Education General Fund budget.
EMERGENCY DESIGNTION: Emergency designation is requested to ensure the contracts are enacted before school commences.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Education to enter into a contract with the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at the Ohio State University to expand and perform the 2020 Summer Success Program, a four-week intensive summer readiness ‘camp’ for children without prior early childhood education experience needed for the achievement of the Mayor’s goal that every child is ready for kindergarten; to authorize the expenditure of $92,618.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($92,618.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, participation in quality early childhood education can provide an important mechanism for developing children’s school readiness; and
WHEREAS, not all children have access to quality early childhood education and/or intentional parenting practices; and
WHEREAS, the Summer Success program assists children that have not participated in early childhood education and may not have developed key readiness skills; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education and the Crane Center seek to expand the Summer Success program to assist more children; and
WHEREAS, this contract is being awarded pursuant to City Code Chapter 329, which allows for the City to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts; and
WHEREAS, funding was budgeted in the general fund within the Department of Education’s operating budget for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Education in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at the Ohio State University to allow services to commence before school begins, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, and safety; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Education is authorized to enter into a contract with the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at the Ohio State University for the expansion and implementation of the Summer Success program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $92,618.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund as follows: (See attachment 0951-2020 EXP)
Div.: 42-01 | Fund: 1000 | SubFund: 100010 | Obj. Class: 03 | Main Acct: 63050 | Program: ED001 | Amount: $92,618.00
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 for 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.