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HomeMy WebLinkAboutG-10 Head Start Info 3213 East Foothill Boulevard* Box 1395 * Azusa 91702-1395 (818) 334-5125 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AGENDA ITEM TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: yJOE GUARRERA, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR DATE: MARCH 27, 1991 SUBJECT: HEAD START AND STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Background The Community Services Department has been operating the Head Start and State Preschool Program since September 1988. Under agreement with the Azusa Unified School District, the program has been housed at Slauson Intermediate School utilizing three classrooms the first two years and two classrooms since September 1990. The program was funded last year for 51 children. The demand is so great that there is a waiting list of 140 children. The grantor was made aware of this and allowed for expanded funds for fiscal 91. This increased our limit to 68 children. The City increased the service to 68 children in September 1990 and has increased the employee allotment by one teacher and one assistant teacher. The City has just recently received the contract from the County regarding the Federal funding of the 68 children. It needs to be approved and returned. We have been funded since September 1990 and have been reimbursed accordingly. The grantor has increased our limit to 136 children as of September 1991 so that more children can be served. The increased number of children necessitates increasing the employee complement of the Head Start Program by: Four Teachers Four Assistant Teachers Changing the Health Coordinator to full-time One part-time clerk/typist One part-time social work aide One part-time parent aide The increased number of employees are to be paid from Head Start funds. It also increases the space needed for the program. The grantor has increased our funding so that the City may purchase a two classroom portable building with Federal funds. The grantor may also increase our funding next fiscal year to purchase another two classroom portable building with Federal funds in the event the School District does not allow the City to use School District classrooms. Staff has calculated the match required for this fiscal year and next fiscal year and can establish more than what is required. The match is made up of volunteer labor and allocation of City and School District staff time. There is no cash match requirement. Problem The Azusa Unified School District has given us notice that they need the two classrooms the Head Start Program has been using at Slauson beginning September 1991. With the proposed increased enrollment effective September 1991, the School District is willing to allow the City to use two other classrooms at a location not as yet agreed upon for the upcoming school year. The City still needs to have two more classrooms for the increased enrollment effective September 1991 and possibly two more effective September 1992. Solution Staff is proposing that the portable classrooms be installed at Memorial Park behind the Girl Scout House along the Armory fence and that this area be designated for the Head Start and State Preschool Programs. Further that the Girl Scout House be converted to the office of the City of Azusa Head Start and State Preschool Program. Recommendations 1. Allow staff to designate that area at Memorial Park along the southern fence line of the National Guard Armory and east of the existing Girl Scout House for use as the City of Azusa Head Start and State Preschool site. 2. Allow staff to notify the Spanish Trails Girl Scout Council, Girl Scouts of USA and the Azusa Neighborhood Girl Scouts of the City's intention to terminate their lease as outlined in paragraph 2 of page 3 of said lease agreement. 3. Direct the City Administrator, at al, to sign the County contract for Federal funding of the program. 4. Approve the increased funding for this fiscal year which includes: (a) Increased funding from 51 children to 68 children in the amount of $49,300 in Federal Grants. (b) Increased funding for startup costs for increase from 68 children to 136 children in the amount of $22,536 in Federal Grants. (c) Increased funding for the portable classrooms in the amount of $101,650 in Federal Grants. 5. Approve the proposed increased funding from Federal grants for next fiscal year for 136 children in the approximate amount of $375,000. 6. Approve the proposed increased funding from Federal grants for next fiscal year for another portable classroom building in the event the School District terminates the City's use of said classrooms and Federal funding is acquired. JG:CFS:pap