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Board reviews City Year contract and grant status; staff say program shows attendance and literacy associations
Summary
Board members debated renewal and placement of City Year teams in schools, asked for impact data where City Year was removed, and were told the local City Year office currently has committed funding though some national offices have not.
Board members reviewed the contract and grant status of City Year, a nonprofit partner that provides near‑peer mentors and in‑school supports, and asked staff for data tying City Year presence to student outcomes.
District staff said the City Year contract under discussion continues work begun in prior years and that the local City Year office has indicated funding commitments; City Year is supported by a competitive state grant on a three‑year cycle, and the current award is in its third year. Staff said the district may seek a no‑cost extension because the grant’s October–September schedule and award timing sometimes require adjustments.
Staff explained City Year’s role in supporting attendance, reading interventions and classroom rotations that provide small‑group remediation. A district staff speaker said there is “a trend in the schools where City Year is present that increases student attendance,” but cautioned that proving causation — that City Year alone causes score rises — would require a formal study.
Board members asked for impact data for schools that previously had City Year but no longer do, and whether shifting City Year resources from elementary to middle schools might be a better use of limited spots. Staff said placement decisions reflect principal buy‑in, budget limits and City Year’s own staffing availability, and that some schools were prioritized because of demonstrated partnership and need.
Staff provided some financial context: one speaker said the contract did not change from last year, and another noted the district had previously reduced City Year coverage in response to budget cuts. Staff also said the local City Year office expected continued funding for Jacksonville specifically, though City Year programs in other cities face different funding outcomes.
Board members asked staff to produce a scorecard comparing attendance and proficiency metrics for schools that lost City Year teams and for new placements, and staff said they would pull PM 3 (Performance Matters) data when available to inform that comparison.
The workshop discussion did not record a formal vote on the City Year contract at the time of the presentation.
