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 4
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $60,000, to Upward Scholars to help fund educational support and services for adult students from low-income households living in San Mateo County and attending community college in the San Mateo County Community College District, and authorizing the County Manager, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
body
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.
On February 12, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held a study session on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2019-21. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study session to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FY 2019-21. The Board approved $3.75 million in one-time loans or grants each fiscal year for FY 2019-21, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. Due to reduced Measure K revenue as a result of COVID-19, the Board of Supervisors reduced the allocation for FY 2020-21 to $1 million for each supervisorial district. 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) - to Upward Scholars to help fund educational support and services for adult community college students from low-income households |
$60,000 |
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 one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $60,000, to Upward Scholars to help fund educational support and services for adult students from low-income households who are attending community college. The County Manager’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
Upward Scholars’ motto, “Empowering low-income adults to prosper through education” underscores their mission. Their mission is to provide adult immigrants from low-income households the boost they need to move up the economic ladder through education and career development support, specifically as they have been amongst the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to move their families out of poverty.
Since 2010, Upward Scholars has empowered more than 1,000 students through education, career development support, and a community that believes in their talents and determination to achieve a better life for themselves and their families. Pre-pandemic, Upward Scholars would provide students with laptops, textbooks, cover their community college parking permit or provide a public transit card, and give students on-campus meal vouchers. And even prior to the pandemic, participating students were living paycheck to paycheck and working low-wage jobs while attending college. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the loss of wages and jobs has resulted in Upward Scholars students having trouble meeting their basic needs. 2020 was an unprecedented year and the pandemic’s impact on Upward Scholars’ adult students’ lives made it necessary to provide increased support to allow them to continue their education.
Despite these obstacles, 208 Upward Scholars students are currently registered for community college this spring, and Upwards Scholars expects to have 250 students enrolled in the fall, and 20 participating students made Deans’ List in 2020. This Measure K grant of $60,000 will provide funding for college textbooks and lab materials, transit passes, grocery gift cards for food, and graduation expenses for current Upward Scholars students, all whom reside in San Mateo County and attend community college in the San Mateo County Community College District.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $60,000
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:
Linda Prieto
Executive Director
Upward Scholars
855 Jefferson Ave, Box 506
Redwood City, CA 94064
(650) 254-6109
linda@upwardscholars.org <mailto:linda@upwardscholars.org>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Provide textbooks and materials and other services and necessities to complete community college in the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters, through December 31, 2021. |
Complete |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2020-21 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.