TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the 2025 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement Between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port, Florida.
Recommended Action
Approve the 2025 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port, Florida.
Background Information
The Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge is a community-wide effort to help all children, especially those from low-income families, succeed in school by ensuring they read on grade level by the third grade. Research indicates that while school is not in session during the summer months, children lose two or more months of reading skills. Through this Letter of Agreement, the Patterson Foundation will provide funding and strategic resources to the City of North Port George Mullen Activity Center (GMAC) Summer Camp to help preserve and strengthen campers’ reading skills. Funding from this program is based on the number of elementary school-age children participating in camp for a specified number of weeks.
The Parks & Recreation Department has participated in this program for the past five years. Last summer, 206 campers participated and read over 2,563 grade-level appropriate books within the summer camp session. In total, the City received $6,475 in funding from this program in 2024.
In preparation for the 2025 camp program, staff attended additional training and will provide a curriculum to summer camp participants that enhances reading skills and delivers reading activities for summer campers.
The 2025 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port, Florida, has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
Based on the 2025 parameters for support funding, the City of North Port anticipates receiving $4,500 in funding to assist with leading summer learning events and activities, authors, librarians, or dedicated reading staff/remedial educators. The City is not required to match any funding extended through this Letter of Agreement.
Procurement
The appropriate procurement paperwork will be completed in compliance with Purchasing Policies and Procedures before making purchases.
Attachments:
1. 2025 Letter of Agreement
Prepared by: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director