Submitted by: Sean Corcoran
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
title
Distribution of Remaining Education Advisory Committee Funds
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Interim Mayor and Council distribute the remaining $7,190 allocated to the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Education Assistant Grant equally to 10 local schools returning to in-person learning ($719/each).
These awards will go to:
- Edward M. Felegy Elementary
- Hyattsville Elementary
- Rogers Heights Elementary
- Rosa L. Parks Elementary
- University Park Elementary
- Hyattsville Middle
- Nicholas Orem Middle
- William Wirt Middle
- Bladensburg High
- Northwestern High
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Summary Background:
On March 4, 2021, the Education Advisory Committee hosted principals and their representatives from public schools serving Hyattsville children to learn about the current and projected issues they face. The goal of this annual meeting is to better understand the challenges and needs and to look for ways the City of Hyattsville can be a productive partner with our local public schools. As part of this meeting, we discussed what challenges schools face with hybrid education and the return of a portion of students to in-person learning in April 2021.
On February 1, 2021, the City Council acted upon the committee’s recommendations for awards under the 2020 Educational Enrichment Grant program. Because of the current pandemic, there were only a small number of grants sought and recommended for an award, leaving a balance of $7,190 in funding from the 2020 EEG program. The Council kindly allowed the committee to make a recommendation as to how best to distribute the remainder of these funds.
In speaking with area school representatives, it was obvious that there are a number of immediate needs that this remaindered funding could be used to address as teachers and students return to in-person learning, ranging from support services to school supplies to personal protective equipment for students and staff. Rather than trying to identify the greatest need for each individual school, the committee recommends that the council divide the remaindered funds equally among each of the 10 schools returning to in person learning.
Under this recommendation, the committee asks the Council to direct city staff to award $719 to each of the following schools: Edward M. Felegy Elementary; Hyattsville Elementary; Rogers Heights Elementary; Rosa L. Parks Elementary; University Park Elementary; Hyattsville Middle; Nicholas Orem Middle; William Wirt Middle; Bladensburg High; and Northwestern High. To ensure the funds can be put to immediate use, it is further recommended that city staff make the award to the school principal or to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (or similar association) at the option of the school’s principal.
Next Steps:
Upon Council approval, staff will reach out to the schools to determine the appropriate entity to distribute the funds.
Fiscal Impact:
$7,190
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend support.
Community Engagement:
The grant program is managed by the Education Advisory Committee.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 5 - Strengthen the City’s Identity as a Diverse, Creative, and Welcoming Community
Legal Review Required?
N/A