DATE: March 23, 2004
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Education Grant for San Pasqual Academy
SUMMARY:
Overview
With unanimous support from all Board members, the San Pasqual Academy opened in October 2001 as a residential education campus for adolescent foster youth. The vision of San Pasqual Academy is to ensure that graduates are better equipped to pursue a higher education, a chosen career path, and to face the challenges of adult living.
The Academy’s goal of providing a state-of-the-art educational facility has guided the transformation of a defunct industrial arts building into a technology and career information center. Opportunities provided by this facility will ensure Academy students are on equal footing with their peers in the community by having full access to technology resources that will provide enhanced educational resources in the classroom, and provide training in high-tech occupations.
Today’s recommendation authorizes continued development of the QUALCOMM Technology and Career Information center with grant funding.
Recommendation(s)
SUPERVISOR COX AND SUPERVISOR ROBERTS:
- Acknowledge the award of $223,538 in Federal Year 03-04, and $124,263 in Federal Year 04-05 via U. S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Education Grant, to San Pasqual Academy for information technology infrastructure.
- Acknowledge the anticipated award of unspecified amounts in subsequent years via U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Education Grant, to San Pasqual Academy for information technology structure and infrastructure.
- In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with New Alternatives, Inc., and subject to successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, amend Contract No. 45216 to incorporate U. S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Education Grant-funded projects. Waive the advertising requirement of Board Policy A-87.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are not included in the FY 03-04 Operational Plan. If approved, this request will result in FY 03-04 costs and revenue of $223,538 and $124,263 in costs and revenues in FY 04-05. There is no change to net General Fund costs and no new staff years
BACKGROUND:
With unanimous support from all Board members, the San Pasqual Academy opened in October 2001 as a residential education campus for adolescent foster youth. There are currently 117 youth placed at the Academy. Three students graduated from the Academy in June 2002 and 19 graduated in June 2003. There are 30 seniors eligible for graduation in June 2004.
While in placement at the Academy, youth are provided stable and permanent family-style living, a state-of-the-art education, and an opportunity to develop lasting relationships and build effective support systems. The vision of San Pasqual Academy is to ensure that graduates are better equipped to pursue a higher education, follow a chosen career path, and deal with the many challenges of adult living. The Academy’s goal of providing a state-of-the-art technology facility has guided the transformation of a defunct industrial arts building into a technology and career information center. Opportunities provided by this facility will ensure Academy students are on equal footing with their peers in the community by having full access to technology resources that will provide enhanced educational resources in the classroom, and provide training in high-tech occupations.
Phase I of this project, completed with a $1.25 million donation from QUALCOMM, included abatement of the entire building, a new roof, HVAC and electrical systems, and renovation of half the building into 4 classrooms, a laboratory, reception area, storage closets and bathrooms.
The FY 03-04 Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE) program grant partially funds Phase II of the Technology and Career Learning Center. These funds are for fully equipping the 4 classrooms, laboratory, and a multimedia center. The infrastructure established will support interactivity in classrooms, residences and other buildings throughout the campus. Activities directed from here will afford the youth an opportunity to build a solid foundation of technology skills, giving them a better opportunity for furthering their education and career goals.
FY 04-05 FIE funds will be used to meet additional infrastructure requirements. Future FIE funding may finance renovation of the second half of the building into additional classrooms, a second lab area, and a television studio.
Under the conditions of the current contract, New Alternatives, Inc. (NAI) leases the facilities and directly provides residential services at the San Pasqual Academy. NAI subleases facilities to the County Office of Education (COE) for operation of the on-site public high school. NAI subleases facilities to, and collaborates with, Workforce Partnership (WFP) for the provision of a Work Readiness and Self-Sufficiency program and enhanced educational resources. The contract will be amended to incorporate FIE grant-funded projects on the Academy campus.
Respectfully submitted,
GREG COX
Supervisor, First District
RON ROBERTS
Supervisor, Fourth District