Submitted by: Cheri Everhart
Submitting Department: Community Services
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
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Award of Contract for FY26 Tutoring and Mentoring Services
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Administrator to enter into a one-year contract with Northstar Tutoring to provide Tutoring and Mentoring Services for the City’s children and youth for an amount not to exceed $80,000. The Contract is subject to approval by the City Attorney for legal sufficiency.
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Summary Background:
Since 2018, the City has conducted a Tutoring and Mentoring program for children and youth that provides individualized in-person and virtual tutoring for a total of seventy (70) students in grades K-12 to our Youth Center students.
The program consists of summer and school-year tutoring services with a mentoring component. Throughout the year, City staff receive program reports to ensure the program meets the City’s needs.
The summer tutoring program offers tutoring service two times per week for six weeks to enhance and maintain students' reading, math, and writing skills while on summer break. In 2024, the summer program served 41 students (28 in person and 13 online). Of the 41 participants, 18 were new, and most of the participants continued into the school year. Approximately half of the students attended both
tutoring nights each week.
During the school year, in-person tutoring sessions are offered three days per week, with an online option. The sessions focus primarily on assisting students with their homework, improving or maintaining grades, and providing mentoring services. For the 2024-2025 school year, 75 students enrolled in tutoring with a daily attendance rate of 92% and a weekly tutoring time of 140 minutes per student.
Overall, the staff believes this program has provided excellent service to the community and continues to meet the City’s program goals in addressing education gaps in the community.
For FY26, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking bids to continue the Tutoring and Mentoring program. Eight (8) submissions were received, evaluated and scored by staff. Staff recommends awarding the contract to Northstar Tutoring to continue tutoring and mentoring program services for the upcoming fiscal year.
In addition to the tutoring and mentoring services currently provided, Northstar Tutoring proposes to increase services to include social-emotional learning practices, continuing education preparation, career exposure and job shadowing, group mentoring activities, family engagement opportunities, and the addition of volunteer administrative and program support.
Next Steps:
Upon Council approval, staff will proceed with the contract.
Fiscal Impact:
Not to exceed $80,000
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend approval
Community Engagement:
NA
Strategic Goals:
Goal 5 - Strengthen the City’s Identity as a Diverse, Creative, and Welcoming Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending