Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa
Subject: Use of District-Specific Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 5
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-specific Measure K funds, not to exceed $5,000, to Skyline College for the Promise Scholars Program, which will provide financial, academic, and social support for student participants, and authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to prepare and 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”) and County staff have conducted study sessions and community outreach efforts to inform priorities for Measure K spending for FY2017-19.
On May 16, 2017, the Board approved the FY 2017-19 Measure K allocation plan in which the County anticipates Measure K receipts of approximately $81.6 million annually. The plan included $7 million in one-time loans or grants during FY 2017-19, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-specific needs and projects. District 5 has submitted a request to use its district-specific Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 5 (Supervisor David J. Canepa) - Skyline College Promise Scholars Program |
$5,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-specific Measure K funds, which were developed during the initial round of district-specific allocations and approved by the Board in April 2015.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Skyline College, and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $5,000 to the Promise Scholars Program which will provide financial, academic, and social support for student participants. The program is designed to alleviate barriers that often keep first-year students from the strong start associated with finishing college. The County Manager’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
Skyline College’s Promise Scholars Program addresses the financial barriers impeding the full-time pursuit of higher education, provides structured academic and non-academic support, and lays the foundation for the redesign of programs and curricula into guided pathways to increase student success and completion. The program provides financial support to participating students to cover or waive fees, and contribute to the cost of books, technology, and transportation. Participating students will also have access to a lending library, attend the Program’s summer institute, and receive assistance with technology if needed. The funding provided by the Promise Scholars Program is used as a “last dollar” scholarship; the funds are used to fill in the gaps left by any financial aid the students receive. Promise Scholars are first-time, full-time students - students that have graduated after October 1st, 2017, and have completed their high school degree, GED, or adult continuation program, and are attending Skyline College full time (enrolled in at least 12 units).
The approximate cost per student for one year in the Promise Scholars Program is $1,200. The proposed Measure K grant would be used to pay fees for participating students, which would include:
Tuition: $46.00 per unit cost
Student Body Fee: $15.00. Offers a photo ID card and discounts as well as support for many activities.
Student Representation Fee: Established by student election to support student advocacy to local, state and federal offices and agencies.
Student Union Fee: Assessed at $1 per unit up to a maximum of $5 per semester and no more than $10.00 per student per academic year. Funds will be used to support the financing, construction and operation of the Student Union.
Health Service Fee: $20.00 per semester. Provides basic campus health services and medical coverage for injuries incurred while the student is on campus or attending an off-campus, College-sponsored event.
Additional Fees: These fees may include costs associated with textbooks, tools, technical, and other school supplies required for college courses.
Other organizations who have donated to the Promise Scholars Program include:
• Town of Colma: $3,000
• San Mateo County Community College District Auxiliary Services: $100,000
• Kaiser Permanente: $7,500
• PG&E: $7,500
There have also been several $2,500 individual donors.
Skyline College initiated a pilot of the Promise Scholars Program in the Fall 2016 with 139 participating students, and the pilot program was expanded in Fall 2017 to 253 participating students. Skyline College reports that the Promise Scholars Program has positive impacts on students’ ability to remain enrolled in school, as measured by persistence rates. In comparison to other full-time students not involved in the program, Promise Scholars Program participants are more likely to remain enrolled at Skyline College. The results from the pilot program are summarized below:
|
Program Duration |
% of Program Participants Still Enrolled at Skyline |
% of Non-Program Participants Still Enrolled at Skyline |
|
Fall 2016 to Spring 2017 |
96.4% |
85.4% |
|
Fall 2016 to Fall 2017 |
82% |
70.5% |
|
Fall 2017 to Spring 2018 |
91.3% |
83.7% |
Skyline College’s goal for 2018/2019 is to support 500 students. The ultimate goal is to offer all 750 first-time, full-time students attending Skyline College the opportunity to participate in this program.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $5,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds during FY 2017-18 for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Cherie Colin
Skyline College
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, Ca. 94066
colinc@smccd.edu <mailto:colinc@smccd.edu>
650-738-4338
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Percent of program participants enrolling in Fall 2018 who remain enrolled in Spring 2019 (provide comparison to other full-time students) |
90% |
|
Percent of program participants enrolling in Fall 2018 who remain enrolled in Fall 2019 (provide comparison to other full-time students) |
80% |
|
Number of students in the program by end of Fall 2019 |
500 |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Funding for the Skyline College Promise Scholars Program contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of providing services to support a prosperous community. The Skyline College Promise Program helps County residents obtain an education as a means to achieve prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2017-2018 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget.