Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds -Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to The Circuit EPA to support the Immersive Learning and Newcomer Support Program, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 4 (Supervisor Warren Slocum) - The Circuit EPA: to support the Immersive Learning and Newcomer Support Program. |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 4 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 4 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to The Circuit EPA, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to support the Immersive Learning and Newcomer Support Program. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• On May 23, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved district-discretionary Measure K funding to The Circuit EPA in the amount of $50,000 to purchase state-of-the-art technology equipment, including computers, software, and robotics kits, to be used in their STEAM programs for the Ravenswood City School District.
The Circuit EPA is a non-profit based in East Palo Alto, specializing in technology education and youth development. Their mission is to empower students in the Ravenswood City School District by providing equitable access to cutting-edge technology and fostering pathways to Silicon Valley careers. The Circuit EPA integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines with real-world applications, inspiring innovation and unlocking student potential.
The Circuit EPA offers a range of innovative programs designed to prepare students for success in the digital age, including their Immersive Learning & Newcomer Support Program. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by newcomer students-recently arrived immigrant children- they developed and piloted this program that incorporates Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) into the curriculum, engaging students with interactive, practical experiences across various subjects including history, music, science, art, and English language development.
The pilot has proved successful in helping newcomer students at Cesar Chavez Middle School overcome language barriers, integrate into the school community, and succeed academically. The Circuit EPA is now expanding the program to serve the entire school district’s newcomer population in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
The Measure K funding will enable The Circuit EPA to rapidly increase the number of students served, growing from 10 to over 80, making this a transformative investment in the futures of these students.
District 4 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Michele Sharkey
Development and Partnership Lead
The Circuit EPA
2120 Euclid Ave.
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Michele@thecircuitepa.org <mailto:Michele@thecircuitepa.org>
www.thecircuitepa.org <http://www.thecircuitepa.org>
(650) 208-3686
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Expand the Immersive Learning and Newcomer Support Program to serve up to 80 newcomer students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in the Ravenswood City School District. |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2024-25 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.