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. 

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.  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 nine, Burroughs High School sent 28, and Providence High School sent 22 Burbank resident students to the Close-Up Program. 

In the past, the Council has provided support to Burbank resident students from Bellarmine-Jefferson High School to attend the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) conference.  Last year, Bellarmine-Jefferson High School sent eight students to the NHSMUN conference. 

Each of the 67 Burbank resident students who attended either the Close-Up Program or NHSMUN last year received $298 from the City. 

Analysis

This year, Burbank High School expects to send nine Burbank resident students to the Close-Up Program from March 26-April 1, 2006 at an estimated cost of $1,634 per student.  Burroughs High School expects to send 12 Burbank resident students from March 26-April 1, 2005 at an estimated cost of $1,634 per student.  Providence expects to send eight Burbank resident students from February 19-25, 2006 at an estimated cost of $1,549 per student.  Instead of attending the NHSMUN conference this year, Bellarmine-Jefferson expects to send ten Burbank resident students to the Close-Up Program from February 19-25 at an estimated cost of $1,404 per student. 

With an expected total of 39 Burbank resident students attending the Close-Up Program, the City�s $20,000 contribution will provide approximately $512 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 $512 per student) to eligible students from Burbank, Burroughs, Providence, and Bellarmine-Jefferson High Schools to partially offset the cost of the Close-Up Program. 

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