Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their Hackathon event for under-served Franklin County high school students.
The mission of Tech Corps Ohio is based on the belief that all K-12 students should have access to high-quality computer science learning experiences, and this vision can be achieved through computer science programs, alongside partners and people in the technology space. Tech Corps Ohio’s work gives students the opportunity to make connections between the technology they love to use and the education and career pathways associated with the creation of this technology. Their programming also results in deeper learning and problem-solving for students, professional development for teachers, and an increase in high school students pursuing computer science and IT-related degrees or enrolling in IT training programs.
The Tech Corps Ohio hackathon will serve up to 150 Franklin County high school students, focusing on students traditionally underrepresented in technology. This includes black and brown students, students from low-wealth families, new Americans, and students from families without a history of higher education. Support from Columbus City Council will help fund marketing costs, prizes for students participating in the final hackathon event, and other supplies, services, and personnel costs. No funds will be used for the purchase of food or beverages.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Job Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their Hackathon event; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of $100,000.00 within the Job Growth subfund. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to promote access to STEM opportunities for Columbus students, including computer science learning opportunities; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Science Foundation, those working in STEM tend to earn more than 50% more than those working in non-STEM fields; and
WHEREAS, Tech Corps Ohio is an Ohio nonprofit that believes that all K-12 students should have access to high-quality computer science learning experiences, thereby promoting career pathways in STEM; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Tech Corps Ohio in support of their Hackathon event serving underrepresented Franklin County high school students.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $100,000.00 in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Job Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.