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 $1,110,480 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 for the 2025-2026 school year and amending the Parks and Recreation Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget pursuant to Budget Amendment Number 26.008. (Angela Duldulao, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt 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 $1,110,480 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 for the 2025-2026 school year and amending the Parks and Recreation Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget pursuant to Budget Amendment Number 26.008.
Body
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 or 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 nine 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. With City Council’s approval of this request, the City will be entering into its third year as one of several partners operating ELOP on District campuses. District staff requested that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department continue ELOP for the 2025-2026 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. 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.
The program is 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. The City will be reimbursed by the District for direct and overhead costs via ELOP funding.
New this year, the District has requested that the Parks and Recreation Department increase the ELOP enrollment capacity to up to 210 children. Over the past two years, the City has been contracted to serve 120 children and has accepted over 180 children into the Department’s program at the District’s request. Costs for children over the contracted capacity continue to be reimbursed by the District based on a per child rate identified in the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The District will reimburse the City using State grant monies for all costs outlined in the ELOP agreement between the City and District. The ELOP agreement with the District was approved by the District Board of Trustees on June 26, 2025, and the contract term would be effective as of July 1, 2025. Therefore, this item is being submitted as a separate budget request for consideration.
Budget Amendment Number 26.008 requests amendments to the Parks and Recreation Department’s FY 2025-26 expenditure and revenue budgets as identified in Attachment 1 and summarized below.
Staffing Expenditures: $858,732
• 1.0 FTE full-time, regular (limited term) Recreation and Community Services Coordinator
• 11.68 FTE part-time, hourly Recreation Leader III
Supplies and Services Expenditures: $93,607
• Snack
• Snack - Budget Transfer (Administrative transfer between general ledger accounts in the amount of $40,000 in ELOP funding already in the Department’s budget.)
• Program Supplies
Total Expenditure Request: $952,339
Total Revenue Request: $1,110,480
• To be reimbursed by the District from the ELOP grant
The Recreation and Community Services Coordinator position is being requested as a 1.0 FTE full-time, regular, limited-term position. This position has been identified as limited-term given that it is funded by the ELOP grant. While the ELOP program is defined by the 180 days of after school program and 30 days of non-school programming falling short of a full year, the Coordinator will be responsible for program administration and curriculum planning which takes place year-round.
The anticipated revenue amount includes overhead costs for administrative and custodial support that will be charged to the District on top of direct expenses for personnel and program supplies. Based on the contracted amount of 210 children, this results in a per child rate of $4,242 per year for 180 days of after school services, and $1,046 per child per year for 30 non-school day services.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this service agreement with the South San Francisco Unified School District will contribute to the City’s Strategic Plan under the major focus area of creating a “Welcoming and Connected Community” by increasing access to childcare and supporting underserved communities.
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 third year of implementation.