Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus City Schools to support their operations in providing additional services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the ongoing pandemic, Columbus City Schools continues its teaching and learning in the remote setting. There are 197 Columbus City Schools classrooms with students that have complex needs. Usually, students in this environment spend 60% or more of their academic day in these classrooms.
Columbus City Council earlier this year provided more than $7 million in CARES funding to Columbus City Schools to help purchase Chromebooks so that every student had a device for remote learning for the start of the new school year. However, Chromebooks do not support the learning needs of many complex needs students.
There is a need for 233 iPads with impact resistant cases for use by students with complex needs to use as part of instruction and to facilitate their participation, and to be used also by intervention specialists to support the students. The iPad Pros with cases are needed to be issued directly to students with complex needs that might benefit from the touchscreen device.
The iPad Pros can support students with disabilities in the following ways:
o Communication needs by uploading choice boards, speech generating programs (for students with complex communication abilities)
o Screen readers for students with visual impairments
o The use of built-in applications like Dark Mode and Display Accommodations, as well as Magnifier and Font Adjustments.
o The use of visual schedules and timers to assist individuals, small groups, or the whole class with transitions and calendars
o Social skills can also be targeted with iPads by creating class videos, the use of targeted applications, and more
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that Columbus City Schools organizations can begin providing additional services as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act fund.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus City Schools to support their operations in providing additional services during the COVID-19 pandemic; to authorize a transfer of appropriations and an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, during the ongoing pandemic, Columbus City Schools continues its teaching and learning in the remote setting; and
WHEREAS, there are 197 Columbus City Schools classrooms with students that have complex needs, and usually, students in this environment spend 60% or more of their academic day in these classrooms; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for 233 iPads with impact resistant cases for use by students with complex needs to use as part of instruction and to facilitate their participation, and to be used also by intervention specialists to support the students; and
WHEREAS, the grant will be funded with Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with Columbus City Schools to ensure that these organizations can begin providing additional services as soon as possible; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus City Schools to support their operations in providing additional services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, subfund 220702, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That with regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, subfund 220702, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.