PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to request City Council approval of a request from Burbank, Burroughs, Providence, and Bellarmine-Jefferson High Schools to contribute $20,000 to aid Burbank students with the cost of the annual Close-Up Program and the National High School Model United Nations conference. 

BACKGROUND

Each year, the City Council includes as part of its budget $20,000 to sponsor the participation of local high school students in the Close-Up Program and the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) conference.  The funds are divided equally among the participating students.  Only participants who are both Burbank residents and attend a high school located in Burbank are eligible to receive the City�s contribution. 

The Close-Up Program is an educational experience designed to acquaint high school students with the operation of the three branches of the federal government.  The Close-Up participants will travel to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong look at the federal government.  This program has served as a tremendous learning experience for students interested in a career in government as well as those interested in community and public service.  The Close-Up Program is run by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation that has provided a �close up� experience of government to over 600,000 people since 1971.  Last year, Burbank High School sent five, Burroughs High School sent 19, and Providence High School sent nine Burbank resident students to the Close-Up Program. 

As in previous years, Bellarmine-Jefferson High School has requested a contribution to aid Burbank students in attending the NHSMUN annual conference in New York City.  This request by Bellarmine-Jefferson High School is in-lieu of requesting a contribution for the Close-Up Program.  For 31 years, NHSMUN has been providing a unique educational opportunity through the simulation of United Nations committees.  Students will discuss challenging topics and will be expected to work together to develop comprehensive and creative solutions.   Last year, Bellarmine-Jefferson High School sent five Burbank resident students to NHSMUN. 

Each of the 38 Burbank resident students who attended either the Close-Up Program or NHSMUN last year received $526.31 from the City. 

Analysis

This year, Burbank High School is expecting to send nine Burbank resident students to the Close-Up program for Inauguration Week from January 16-22, 2005 at an estimated cost of $2,000 per student.  Burroughs High School is expecting to send 28 Burbank resident students from March 27-April 2, 2005 at an estimated cost of $1,400 per student.  Providence is expecting to send 22 Burbank resident students from February 19-25, 2005 at an estimated cost of $1,500 per student.  Eight Bellarmine-Jefferson Burbank resident students are scheduled to attend NHSMUN from March 9-12, 2005 at an estimated cost of $1,200 per student.

With an expected total of 67 Burbank resident students attending either the Close-Up Program or NHSMUN, the City�s $20,000 contribution will provide approximately $298 per participant. 

Fiscal Impact

$20,000 has been included in account number 001.CL01A.62015 (BUSD Close-Up Program) as part of the City Council Office budget specifically to fund this program.  As in prior years, the checks will be made out directly to the students of the four participating schools. 

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council approve a contribution totaling $20,000 (approximately $298 per student) to eligible students from Burbank, Burroughs, Providence, and Bellarmine-Jefferson High Schools to partially offset the cost of the Close-Up Program and the NHSMUN conference. 

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