Title
Report regarding a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a services agreement with the South San Francisco Unified School District in an amount not to exceed $635,378 for the Parks and Recreation Department to operate an extended learning program for students enrolled in the South San Francisco Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) for the 2024-2025 school year. (Angela Duldulao, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a services agreement with the South San Francisco Unified School District in an amount not to exceed $635,378 for the Parks and Recreation Department to operate an extended learning program for students enrolled in the South San Francisco Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) for the 2024-2025 school year.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) administered by the California Department of Education provides funding for after school and summer school learning and enrichment programs for students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. The focus is on local educational agencies (LEAs) with the highest concentration of targeted disadvantaged students (i.e. English learners and students categorically eligible for free or reduced-price meals). Local educational agencies must operate the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program pursuant to the requirements in California Education Code Section 46120.
“Expanded learning” under the code is defined as before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. It is the intent of the legislation that expanded learning programs are pupil-centered, results driven, include community partners, and complement, but do not replicate, learning activities in the regular school day and school year. In order to qualify, students/families must either be on free or reduced lunch program, homeless, or foster youth. ELOP must operate a minimum of nine hours per day. During the 180 days of instructional learning during the school year, nine hours are a combination of instructional school day hours and in-person before and/or after school program hours. The program must also operate a minimum of 9 hours per day for an additional 30 non-school days (i.e. breaks and school holidays).
The City has a long history of partnering with the South San Francisco Unified School District (District) to offer extended day programs for its STEAM and BLISS Summer School Programs, as well as expanding its after school programs. District staff requested that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department partner with the District to continue ELOP for the 2024-2025 school year on the six campuses where the City currently operates programs. These campuses include Buri Buri Elementary School, Los Cerritos Elementary School, Martin Elementary School, Monte Verde Elementary School, Ponderosa Elementary School, and Spruce Elementary School.
The program would be offered at no cost to families who meet the criteria mentioned above. If spaces are available after all eligible families have been served, other families can join ELOP on a sliding scale rate. Other than the in-kind cost of administration services provided by Parks and Recreation Department staff, the City would be reimbursed by the District for direct costs via ELOP funding.
In addition to the City’s services, the District will also be continuing services through its own District Extended Day Activities Program (DEDAP), and other existing partners, including the Boys and Girls Club, CAM EDU, and Right at School.
During the school year, the afternoon extended day program managed and staffed by the Parks and Recreation Department operates from bell time until 6:00 p.m. During non-school days, the Department operates from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For classroom space, the District has made changes to rooms currently occupied for the Department’s existing before and after school programs on three of the campuses. Staff has worked with the District to find classroom space at these sites.
FISCAL IMPACT
The District will reimburse the City, using State grant monies, for direct expenses so this program can be offered at no cost to families. In-kind services, including administration and overhead will be provided by the City. Given that this is the second year of the ELOP partnership between the City and District, the staffing and supplies budget for this program has already been factored into the City’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operating Budget. No budget amendment is needed. The cost of services are estimated not to exceed $635,378.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this funding will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan under Priority #2 by helping build active recreation, learning, and childcare programs.
CONCLUSION
As the provider of preschools, before and after school programs, and seasonal camp programs, the Parks and Recreation Department fully appreciates, supports, and advocates for affordable, high-quality programs for children in South San Francisco. City staff will continue to work with District personnel and other partners to continue ELOP as the District moves through the program’s second year of implementation.