DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
South San Antonio Independent School District funding appropriation and grant award
SUMMARY:
Consideration of a request for Board approval to appropriate $250,000.00 from the FY 2021 Pre-K 4 SA fund balance to provide South San Independent School District a Competitive Education Grant to increase the quality of the district's early learning program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
To achieve the goal of systematically creating a comprehensive, high-quality early learning system in San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA's Competitive Education Grants funds school districts to expand or enhance educational opportunities for four-year-olds in San Antonio, especially programs that target underserved students. On May 19, 2020, Pre-K 4 SA concluded RFP20-032, which provides classroom materials and professional learning for teachers and administrators during the 2020-2021 school year. Only partner school districts were eligible to compete for this funding. SSAISD was not eligible to submit a proposal as SSAISD was not a partner district at the time of the RFP release. The Pre-K 4 SA Board of Directors approved SSAISD as a partner district on May 19, 2020.
Rather than utilize the City's solicitation process for the only eligible partner school district that does not have an award for 2020-21, Pre-K 4 SA proposes making a one-time grant award to SSAISD in the amount of $250,000.00. In order to receive this grant, SSAISD would be required to conduct a needs assessment utilizing Pre-K 4 SA's High-quality, Best Practices in Pre-Kindergarten District Needs Assessment tool, which is designed to help educators make informed decisions about purchasing materials that provide opportunities for children to acquire knowledge and skills through play and exploration experiences. Additionally, SSAISD would be required to work with Pre-K 4 SA to develop an implementation plan based on the...
Click here for full text