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:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $40,000, to StreetCode Academy to support free technology education for all ages, 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 Lisa Gauthier) - StreetCode Academy to support free technology education programs for all ages. |
$40,000 |
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 StreetCode Academy and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $40,000 to support free technology education for learners of all ages. 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 April 11, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved district-discretionary Measure K funding to StreetCode Academy in the amount of $80,000, for student scholarships to attend the StreetCodeX: Expanding Tech Education Program.
• On October 8, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved district-discretionary Measure K funding to StreetCode Academy in the amount of $75,000, to lease space to conduct three technological programming classes at East Palo Alto Academy.
StreetCode Academy is a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering historically marginalized young people to achieve their full potential by introducing the mindsets, skills, and access needed to embrace technology and innovation.
A lack of access to high-tech training for youth and young adults in communities of color leads to a diversity deficit in the technology industry. StreetCode Academy was founded in 2014 with a mission to equip a generation of under-represented leaders with the skills to “hack, hustle and design” the future.
To address this diversity deficit, StreetCode Academy offers free year-round courses in coding, entrepreneurship, and design. Classes are taught by students and professionals from leading universities and tech companies. Since StreetCode Academy’s inception, they have served over 10,000 under-served community members with programs to increase their technology literacy and skills, connect them to opportunities, and improve their life outcomes economically, academically, and socially.
Additionally, the StreetCode Academy’s program will serve approximately 300 students across five sites located in underserved communities in East Palo Alto. This program is a collaborative effort between StreetCode Academy and the following partner sites:
• StreetCode Academy Headquarters
• Stanford University
• East Palo Alto Academy
• Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School
• Costano Elementary School
StreetCode Academy provides accessible, high-quality tech education and mentorship, further expanding the organization’s reach and impact in communities that have been historically underserved in the tech sector.
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following currently unmet need or service gap within the County: equitable access to culturally responsive, high-quality technology education for underrepresented youth in East Palo Alto. Despite being located in the heart of Silicon Valley, many students in this community lack access to foundational tech skills, mentorship, and career pathways that are critical in today’s economy. StreetCode Academy addresses this gap by offering free, community-based programs that build digital literacy, confidence, and leadership among historically excluded populations.
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. By awarding this grant, the County will help StreetCode Academy demonstrate strong institutional support, strengthening their case to secure additional funding from other sources to sustain staffing costs in future years. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows:
Specifically, this $40,000 Measure K district-discretionary grant will support StreetCode Academy’s efforts to serve underrepresented students by funding salaries and wages for full-time staff who plan and implement the Culture & Tech Programs, as well as six to ten part-time instructors who lead quarterly classes. The grant will also support student recruitment efforts in District 4 through flyers, mailers, and various tech campaigns.
Additionally, grant funds will be used to support three family-friendly events hosted in East Palo Alto parks in partnership with the City of East Palo Alto. These community-centered events will blend arts and technology, making STEM more accessible and helping historically excluded communities view technology as a powerful tool for self-expression. By connecting students’ passions to digital applications, the events aim to empower youth to become not just users, but creators of technology.
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided during Fall 2025 and is estimated to be completed Spring 2026.
This request for $40,000 in Measure K district discretionary to StreetCode Academy will support the continuation of free tech education for all ages in East Palo Alto.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $40,000
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:
Olatunde Sobomehin
CEO
StreetCode Academy
PO Box 51867
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 485-1413
tunde@streetcode.us <mailto:tunde@streetcode.us>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Weekly Culture & Tech classes conducted |
Served over 100 students |
|
Number of family-friendly tech events hosted in East Palo Alto parks |
2 events |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This initiative will directly support the planning and implementation of StreetCode’s Culture & Tech Programs, which reach over 300 students annually across five East Palo Alto sites, including public schools and community spaces. To further deepen community engagement, the grant will support three family-friendly tech events in East Palo Alto parks, blending arts and technology to create accessible, hands-on learning experiences. These events will help reshape the narrative around STEM, positioning technology as a tool for self-expression and economic empowerment. By continuing to invest in StreetCode Academy, San Mateo County reinforces its commitment to equity, innovation, and opportunity for all residents.
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.