Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of interlocal agreements with four local school districts for the provision of startup costs for eight new pre-kindergarten classrooms for three-year-olds to expand access to affordable, high-quality early care and education, for an initial five-month term through September 30, 2024, with four 12-month extension options, each in an amount not to exceed $128,000 for each district, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $640,000 for each district.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Health.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $128,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget. Funding for the remainder of the current and remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Prior Council Action:
May 18, 2023 - Council authorized execution of an interlocal agreement with the Austin Independent School District (AISD) for the provision of startup costs for three new Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, for a four-month term in an amount not to exceed $48,000; an interlocal agreement with Del Valle Independent School District for the provision of startup costs for four new Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, for a four-month term in an amount not to exceed $64,000; and an interlocal agreement with Leander Independent School District for the provision of startup costs for one new Pre-Kindergarten classroom for a four-month term in an amount not to exceed $16,000, all approved on consent without objection.
June 16, 2022 - Council authorized execution of an interlocal agreement with AISD to expand access to no-cost full-day pre-kindergarten for three-year-old students residing withing AISD’s boundary through December 31, 2024, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $902,075, on an 11-0 vote.
June 9, 2022 - Council authorized execution of an interlocal agreement with LISD for the provision of start-up costs for a new Pre-Kindergarten classroom, to expand affordable high quality early care and education options for Austin and Travis County residents, for a three-month term in an amount not to exceed $16,000, on an 11-0 vote.
For More Information:
Adrienne Sturrup, Director, 512-972-5010; Donna Sundstrom, Assistant Director, 512-972-5038; Cynthia Gamez, Acting Public Health Program Manager, 512-972-6216; Juanita Jackson, Business Process Consultant, (512) 972-6163.
Additional Backup Information:
This action will authorize negotiation and execution of four interlocal agreements with the Austin Independent School District (AISD), Del Valle Independent School District, Leander Independent School District, and Round Rock Independent School District, for a five-month term beginning May 1, 2024, to fund the start-up costs for eight new Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) classrooms for three-year olds. The investment amount of $128,000 will be divided between the school districts annually based on their need. The school districts will draw down $3,600 in Average Daily Attendance (or ADA) funding from the State for each student served who qualifies for free public Pre-K in the new classrooms to cover teacher salaries.
On September 28, 2017, Council approved Resolution No. 20170928-057, which directed the compilation of information related to community data, equity gaps, and potential policies and resources that could provide opportunities to expand existing affordable high-quality childcare services and access to Pre-K. One of the twelve deliverables was to consider the availability of Pre-K programs and provide funding options for the start-up costs to expand Pre-K programs at AISD and surrounding school districts that enroll Austin children.
Investing in Pre-K is aligned with the community’s Success By 6 Strategic Plan for Austin/Travis County, which includes the following strategies for Early Childhood Education related to Pre-K:
• Increase the number of eligible three and four-year-old children enrolled in Public Pre-K in Travis County school districts and other high quality early education settings.