DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Bruck, CEO
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Curriculum Contracts Amendment
SUMMARY:
This item requests Board consideration to amend the curriculum contracts with Frog Street Press, Inc. and Teaching Strategies, LLC to increase the total dollar value of the contracts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On May 21, 2013, the Board approved to enter into a contract for recommended curriculum with Frog Street Press, Inc. The original contract with Frog Street Press was approved with a contract amount of approximately $350,000.00 for two years, with four one-year renewal options. On August 4, 2015, the Board approved to amend the contract and increase the total dollar amount to $420,000.00 to provide for additional classrooms and continue Professional Development services. Pre-K 4 SA staff is requesting to increase the current contract amount with Frog Street Press, Inc. by $80,000.00 for a total contract value not to exceed $500,000.00.
On May 21, 2013, the Board approved to enter into a contract for support curriculum with Teaching Strategies, LLC. The contract with Teaching Strategies remained below the $50,000.00 threshold for the 2013-14 school year. In July 2014, Pre-K 4 SA entered into a revised contract and increased the dollar amount to $49,998.05 to obtain necessary supplies for the East and West Education Centers and additional classrooms for the North and South Education Centers. On May 19, 2015, the Board approved to amend the contract and increase the total contract value to $105,000.00 for the purchase of Gold assessment portfolios for incoming students, archival of portfolios, online basic professional development, and inter-rater reliability certification for the 2015-16 school year. On November 3, 2015, the Board approved a $55,000.00 contract increase for total contract amount not to exceed $160,000.00 to continue Gold assessment services for future school years. Staff is requesting to increase the current contract amount with Teaching Strategies by $30,000.00 for a total contract value not to exceed $190,000.00. Pre-K 4 SA also requests to amend and revise the current contract as necessary to best meet the needs of the program. Contract revisions will include the addition of six study sets to the current contract. The six study sets that will be added are: Creative Curriculum for Preschool Pets Study, Mighty Minutes, Teaching Guide featuring the Music Making Study, Teaching Guide: Buildings, Teaching Guide: Clothes, Teaching Guide: Trees. These additional study sets will be included with the curriculum component available to the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant awardees.
The additional contract value increases are necessary due to the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grants program. This year, Pre-K 4 SA will purchase curriculum sets and studies from both Frog Street Press, Inc. and Teaching Strategies LLC for up to six grant awardees requesting curriculum and assessment. On November 6, 2015, Pre-K 4 SA released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to public/charter schools, private/parochial schools and childcare centers with an application deadline of December 18, 2015. Pre-K 4 SA staff convened three committees of specialists in each of the three applicant categories to review grants received to recommend programs for the Board of Directors approval in April 2016. Contracts for funds will begin for the 2016-17 school year. These increases will cover the additional expense in purchasing additional curriculum sets, studies or assessments for the grant awardees and to cover any future expenses for the upcoming school years.
ISSUE:
This item requests Board action to authorize for Pre-K 4 SA staff to amend and increase the contract amount with Frog Street Press, Inc. for a total contract value not to exceed $500,000.00 and revise the current contract with Teaching Strategies, LLC. to include additional study sets and increase the contract amount for a total contract value not to exceed $190,000.00.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board does not approve to amend the current contract values with Frog Street Press, Inc. and Teaching Strategies LLC, Pre-K 4 SA cannot purchase the requested curriculum sets, studies or assessments for the Pre-K 4 SA Competitive Grant awardees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for these contracts are budgeted and available in the FY 2016 Pre-K 4 SA Operating Fund as approved by the Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors. Subsequent years funding is contingent on approval of the annual operating budget by the Board of Directors and City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board authorize Pre-K 4 SA staff to amend and increase the contract amount with Frog Street Press, Inc. for a total contract value not to exceed $500,000.00 and revise the current contract with Teaching Strategies, LLC. to include additional study sets and increase the contract amount for a total contract value not to exceed $190,000.00.