TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement Between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port.
• Pros:
o Supports the City’s continued participation in a well-established free summer literacy initiative benefiting local youth.
o Provides a structured program that includes staff training, weekly learning activities, reading incentives and family engagement components.
o Offers up to $4,500 in reimbursement to enhance and support summer camp programming.
• Cons:
o Requires staff time to meet program administration, training, implementation and reporting requirements.
o Program structure may limit some flexibility in scheduling and planning.
Option 2: Deny the 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port.
• Pros:
o Reduces administrative and reporting responsibilities allowing full flexibility for summer camp scheduling and planning.
o Eliminates obligations related to weekly reporting, training and coordination with external partners.
• Cons:
o City forfeits up to $4,500 in potential reimbursement for program enhancements.
o Campers would lose the opportunity to participate in a literacy initiative aimed at preventing summer reading decline.
Background Information
The Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge (SSRC) is a community-wide literacy initiative encouraging summer reading and reducing summer learning loss. The program supports the Suncoast Campaign for grade-level reading and provides a community benefit by promoting literacy during the summer months, particularly for children who may be more vulnerable to learning loss when school is not in session.
Through this Letter of Agreement, the Patterson Foundation will provide funding and strategic resources to the City of North Port’s George Mullen Activity Center (GMAC) Summer Camp to help maintain and strengthen campers’ reading abilities. Program funding is based on the number of elementary‑aged campers enrolled for a designated number of weeks, with reimbursement tied to the total number of grade‑level appropriate books read.
The Parks & Recreation Department has successfully participated in this initiative for five consecutive years. During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on May 27, 2025, the Commission approved the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge Agreement, continuing the City’s ongoing support of summer literacy efforts. During the 2025 summer session, 226 campers participated in the challenge, resulting in $4,500 in program funding for the City.
The 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port, has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge Letter of Agreement between the Patterson Foundation and City of North Port was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on April 17, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
Because of this longstanding partnership and support to assist with leading summer learning events and activities, including authors, librarians, or dedicated reading staff/remedial educators, the Parks & Recreation Department included the revenue estimates into the Fiscal Year 2026 adopted budget in account no. 001-0000-347.20-05. Therefore, if the Letter of Agreement is approved, there is no budget or financial impact as the revenues and associated costs are already accounted for in the adopted budget. The City is not required to match any funding extended through this Letter of Agreement.
Procurement
Not applicable. Any purchases made in support of the program will follow City purchasing policies and procedures.
Attachments:
1. Agreement
2. May 27, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Prepared by: Rachael Payne, Business Services Coordinator
Shelby Mendelson, Recreation Manager
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director