Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $80,000, to Second Harvest Food Bank for breakfast and lunch for students at four San Mateo schools for two years, and authorizing the County Manager, or his 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”) and County staff have conducted study sessions and community outreach efforts to inform priorities for Measure K spending for FY 2017-19.
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 each year during FY 2017-19, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-specific needs and projects. District Two has submitted a request to use its district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Carole Groom) - Second Harvest Food Bank: Breakfast and lunch for students at four San Mateo schools in school year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 |
$80,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Second Harvest Food Bank (Second Harvest), and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $80,000 to provide meals for students at certain public schools. The County Manager’s Office will administer the proposed grant agreement.
Second Harvest partners with school districts in San Mateo County to maximize use of and increase participation in underutilized free-and-reduced price school meal programs such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Second Chance Breakfast and Summer Meals.
Breakfast is an important start to the day for school children, increasing attendance, improving behavior, and improving academic performance. The following schools in the San Mateo-Foster City School District (District) have high proportions of children qualifying for free-and-reduced price meals (FRPM):
- LEAD Elementary (521 kids, 70.4% FRPM)
- Sunnybrae Elementary (444 kids, 67.3% FRPM)
- San Mateo Park Elementary (386 kids, 66.6% FRPM)
- Fiesta Gardens International Elementary (535 kids, 57.4% FRPM)
For the past two years, Second Harvest has been offering free breakfast and lunch to the entire student population at these four schools that are not a part of the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), a federal program that allow schools with a high percentage of low-income students to provide meals to all regardless of application to FRPM program. Second Harvest has been providing the meals through excess cash resources in Second Harvest’s food budget. The cost to provide a healthy balanced meal is approximately $1.50 per meal.
In school year 2018-2019, Second Harvest’s fund to provide meals has been spent down, threatening the program at these four schools. Second Harvest believes it is important to continue offering free breakfast and lunch to all students (not just those who have completed and qualified for free and reduced meals). In today’s climate, many families need assistance but will not complete the meal application out of fear. The number of students accepting a free meal has increased over the last two years as this school-wide program has been implemented.
Approximately 1,800 students would benefit from this funding annually. This funding could also allow the two schools with higher Identified Student Percentage (ISP) to convert to Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which would activate greater federal funding.
The estimated cost of offering free breakfast and lunch to all students at these four schools during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years is $80,000.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $80,000
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:
Tracy Weatherby, VP of Community Engagement & Policy
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
1051 Bing Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
650-255-6009
tweatherby@shfb.org
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Provide free breakfast and lunch to all students at LEAD Elementary, Sunnybrae Elementary, San Mateo Park Elementary and Fiesta Gardens International Elementary schools during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years |
Complete |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
Funding for breakfast and lunch for students at the four identified high-need schools contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy and Prosperous Community by supporting the health of students and providing educational opportunities for all residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2018-2019 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget.