TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the Patterson Foundation and the City of North Port to Support the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading within Summer Camp
Recommended Action
Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the Patterson Foundation and the City of North Port to Support the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading within Summer Camp.
Background Information
The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a communitywide 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 during the summer months, while school is not in session, children lose two or more months of reading skills. Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Patterson Foundation will provide funding and strategic resources to the City of North Port GMAC Summer Camp to help preserve and strengthen GMAC campers reading skills. Funding from this program is based on the number of elementary school-age children enrolled in camp and the number of weeks camp is in session.
For the last two summers, Parks & Recreation has participated in this program and received $5,125 in funding for camp activities in 2018, and $11,918 in 2019. Due to the reduced summer camp capacity to support CDC physical distancing guidelines as part of the COVID 19 response, staff anticipates receiving approximately $3,400 for 2020. In addition to funding, Parks & Recreation will receive access to webcasts, and 200 “This Book is Cool” books to give to the campers.
In preparation for this year’s camp program, staff attended additional training and will provide a curriculum to summer camp participants about the available reading skills and activities for summer campers.
The proposed agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney as to form and content.
Strategic Plan
Develop and promote City governance that fosters trust and utilizes departmental strengths and innovative philosophies to facilitate effective and efficient provision of all City services.
Financial Impact
The City of North Port anticipates receiving approximately $3,400 in funding to provide reading materials, promote summer reading, or compensate educators, authors, or other providers that support this program at GMAC. The City is not required to match any funding extended through this agreement. If approved, the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget will increase by the final amount of the grant awarded.
Procurement
The appropriate Procurement paperwork will be completed in compliance with Purchasing policies and procedures before making purchases.
Attachments:
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the Patterson Foundation and the City of North Port
Prepared by: Tricia Wisner, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks and Recreation Director