DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Amstar Construction
SUMMARY:
This item requests Board action to approve payment in the amount of $386,381.00 to Amstar for construction improvements to the Gardendale Early Learning Program replication site as part of the SB 1882 agreement between Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Senate Bill (SB) 1882, passed in 2017, allows for additional funding from the state for independent school districts who partner with an eligible entity to operate a district campus. Under SB 1882, entities eligible to partner with school districts are charter management organizations, universities, and non-profits with strong track records. In addition to increased funding for these partnerships, SB 1882 also creates an exemption from certain accountability interventions for schools with historic underperformance. The state set forth requirements for creating the partnership and will determine which partnerships qualify under SB 1882.
In February 2019, the Board approved for Pre-K 4 SA to enter into an agreement with Edgewood ISD as provided for by SB 1882 to improve capacity at Gardendale Elementary School with a term through June 30, 2022. The 1882 Agreement between Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD creates a cooperative framework for Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood while also establishing that Pre-K 4 SA will have authority to select and assign teachers, select curriculum, oversee all education aspects, and to put into place performance metrics to evaluate the partnership and whether or not students impacted are making progress.
Staff has continued to partner with Edgewood ISD to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year.
ISSUE:
Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD have identified several areas for improvement at the Gardendale Early Learning Program replication site. The outdoor learning area is a key component that focuses on health, activity, and wellness for the prekindergarten through 3rd grade children. Within the outdoor learning areas, landscape improvements were identified to the garden/parent area as well as the trike and courtyard areas. Additional construction costs will be incurred for the addition of observation windows, improvements to the garden/parent area, and cabinet refurbishing.
Edgewood ISD received a federal grant for $1,000,000 in FY 2019 that will be used as the primary funding source for this construction project. The grant money will be supplemented with funds from Edgewood’s Competitive Grant award dollars.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board of Directors not approve this contract, the schedule necessary to open classrooms for the 2021-2022 school year would not be met. This could also jeopardize the agreement between Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is available in the Pre-K 4 SA FY 2022 Annual Operating Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of payment in the amount of $386,381.00 to Amstar for construction improvements to the Gardendale Early Learning Program replication site as part of the SB 1882 agreement between Pre-K 4 SA and Edgewood ISD.