PURPOSE

Staff, supported by a recommendation from the Mayor�s Youth Task, is requesting City Council authorization to provide funding to the Middle School Grant Program.  This program is conducted at the three Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) middle schools.  If approved, BUSD will receive up to $35,250  from the Youth Services Holding Account to fund a continuation of programs and services on the three campuses as proposed.

BACKGROUND

During the fiscal year 2002-2003 budget process, the City Council directed staff to set aside $500,000 of one-time funding in a Non-Departmental Holding Account (Youth Services) to be utilized for teen services and programming.  On February 15, 2005, City Council approved $250,000 of one-time funding to replenish the account.  With direction from the City Council, the BUSD Board of Education, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, the Youth Board and the Teens In Action teams, staff continues to implement programs reflecting the solutions developed by youth.  There is currently $75,800 in this account.

Programs which have received funding from the Youth Services Holding Account have included the Teens In Action Media Communication Team, Teens In Action Police Youth Relations Team, Bliss Unlimited, Middle School Counseling Program, High School Counseling Program and the Middle School Grant Program.

In July of 2002, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended and the BUSD Board of Education approved the implementation of the Middle School Grant Program at each  middle school. The emphasis of the program includes promoting activities which  prevent violence and bullying, and help students learn techniques and strategies for anger management, conflict resolution, and respect. Initial funding was $150,000 which provided program elements during 2002, 2003 and into 2004.  On March 16, 2004 City Council appropriated $75,000 for the remainder of the 2003-2004 school year. On September 28, 2004, an additional $30,000 was appropriated to the program. The total appropriated funding to date for the Middle School Grant Program is $255,000.

The intent of the program was to provide each of the middle schools with focused, yet flexible funding to allow implementation of individualized programs to meet the specialized needs of each school and its students.   The schools addressed and categorized their programs into three primary areas:

1. Safety and sense of security/verbal and physical altercations:  examples of program elements included an increase in adult supervision and provision of activities (games, music, tutoring) at lunch and after school to engage students in a positive manner.

2. Provision of learning and remedial opportunities for �at-risk� students:  examples included tutoring, power clinics and monitoring of progress.

3. Anti-bullying, non-violence and tolerance awareness:  examples included trips to the Museum of Tolerance, assemblies, purchase of anti-bullying materials, and the purchase of pamphlets for students and parents related to violence, attitude, anger management, and coping with issues such as divorce.

Throughout the development of the programs, administrators and students from the three schools have made presentations to the Mayor�s Youth Task Force.  They have reported that the programs offered have made a very positive impact on their campuses.  These reports reflect improved calmness on their campuses, decreased bullying and fighting, increased student self-esteem, improved academic achievement, increased student involvement in activities such as sports and lunchtime activities, and a creation of more connectivity with their schools, staff and peers.

ANALYSIS

The City of Burbank places a strong emphasis on the provision of  quality programs, services, and facilities benefiting the youth of the community.  For the purpose of this grant program, funding is limited to programs and activities serving the Burbank Unified School District�s middle school youth.  Collectively, the grant funding is serving 3,770 of our community�s youth, which comprise the total current enrollment at the three middle school campuses.

Since implementation, the three middle schools have been able to evaluate their programs for effectiveness and value.  To provide continuance of certain, identified programs, the three middle school principals made a presentation and submitted a proposal for funding consideration  at the September 21, 2005 Mayor�s Youth Task Force meeting (Attachment I). This proposal outlines continuation of  programming that they believe will continue to decrease bullying on the campuses of Luther , Jordan, and Muir Middle Schools. 

The Middle School Grant  program elements and budget are as follows:

1.      At Risk /Intervention Coordinator                                                     $4,000 per site

Coordinator to meet with at-risk students and to  monitor grades, attendance, and progress in power clinics.  Includes volunteers on a two-hour unpaid to one hour paid basis.

2.      Lunchtime supervision                                                               $5,000 per site

Includes activities/games, sports, tutoring, and drum corps.

3.      Buses to the Museum of Tolerance                                            $3,000 per site

Eighth grade student field trip to heighten student awareness, promote tolerance, and decrease bullying.

4.      Motivational Assembly                                                                        $750 per site

Objectives are to promote self-esteem, anti-bullying,  anti-drug use, and making positive choices in life.

The  cost per site is $12,750 with a total cost of $38,250 for the 2005/2006 school year to implement the proposed programs.  Jordan Middle School has received a donation of $3,000 for bus costs to the Museum of Tolerance. 

The Mayor�s Youth Task Force is recommending funding in the amount of $35,250 to continue the proposed program components at the three middle schools.  If  funding is approved, the remaining balance in the holding account will be $40,550.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact.  During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, City Council directed staff to establish a holding account for the development and implementation of youth oriented projects. There is currently $75,800 available in the General Fund Non-Departmental Holding Account (Youth Services) 001.ND000.62970. 0000.

RECOMMENDATION

It is the recommendation of staff and the Mayor�s Youth Task Force that the City Council approve funding in the amount of  $35,250  from the Non-Departmental Holding Account (001.ND000.62970.0000) to the Middle School Grant Program (001.PR31F.62656.1001.00000).

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