DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Southwest Independent School District Competitive Education Grant Increase
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this grant increase is to support the creation of high-quality prekindergarten classrooms within a partner school district. These classrooms will serve as proof of concept sites for replicating Pre-K 4 SA’s high-quality approach in school districts. Pre-K 4 SA awarded Southwest Independent School District (SWISD) $300,325 annually for a two-year contract on March 6, 2018. This original grant award did not include sufficient funding to develop proof-of-concept sites. The additional one-time increase of $18,594 would allow SWISD to pay for substitutes to send seven teachers from seven campuses to a series of six training sessions focused on early childhood best practices. The series would include materials needed to support the topics. Additionally, SWISD will allocate $2,000 for each classroom to purchase materials for the classrooms that will assist the teachers implement the strategies and practices learned from the trainings.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Early Childhood Education Municipal Development Corporation (Pre-K 4 SA) awards grants to public independent school districts (ISDs)/charter schools, accredited private/parochial schools, and licensed childcare centers (CDCs) that serve four-year-old prekindergarten students that allow entities to demonstrate success in improving program and teacher quality through bundles of training, materials, and services based on best practices in early childhood education. The City of San Antonio began its prekindergarten initiative in August 2013 to dramatically enhance early childhood education to ensure future vitality and long-term economic health for San Antonio. Pre-K 4 SA is designed to serve 3,700 students annually with 2,000 of these students being served directly at a Pre-K 4 SA Education Center, while the remaining 1,700 students would benefit from Pre-K 4 SA through local schools/programs receiving competitive grants.
ISSUE:
Pre-K 4 SA staff requests Board consideration to authorize a one-time increase of $18,594 to the current competitive grant contact between Pre-K 4 SA and SWISD.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board does not approve the execution of the grant amendment, Pre-K 4 SA will not be able to help Southwest Independent School District develop the proof of concept classrooms and would hinder SWISD’s efforts to expand high-quality classrooms in the district.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are budgeted and available within the FY 2019 Operating Fund. Future contract years are contingent upon the approval of the annual operating budget by the Board of Directors.
RECOMMENDATION:
Pre-K 4 SA staff recommends Board consideration to authorize a one-time increase of $18,594 to the current competitive grant contact between Pre-K 4 SA and SWISD.