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Board approves MOU with School Volunteers to target six focus schools and explore translation services
Summary
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with San Francisco School Volunteers to concentrate volunteer resources at six 'focus' schools, pilot translation/interpretation volunteer services supported by a Zellerbach Foundation grant and continue targeted outreach; board discussion included training and funding source questions.
The San Francisco Unified School District on Oct. 24 approved a memorandum of understanding with San Francisco School Volunteers (SFSV) to coordinate volunteer recruitment and support, with a new emphasis on six "focus schools" and a pilot to explore volunteer-provided translation and interpretation services.
Lisa Spinelli, the executive director of San Francisco School Volunteers, told the board the organization has revised its strategic plan to recruit and support volunteers more selectively and to align with school site needs. She said SFSV has secured a Zellerbach Foundation grant to plan interpretation services and listed six concentration sites for the current year: Cleveland, John Muir, Marshall Elementary, Bret Hart, Everett Middle School and Thurgood Marshall High School. Spinelli said the organization is working with district staff to tailor volunteer placements and to build partnerships with community organizations.
Spinelli said last year SFSV had roughly 1,300 regular volunteers (at least an hour a week for a semester), many volunteering four to five hours weekly. Board members asked about training for teachers and the use of consent-decree funds. Commissioner Marr noted a funding split he described in discussion as approximately $100,000 total for the focus effort, with $30,000 from general funds and $70,000 from consent-decree money; Spinelli and staff said they would provide more detailed budget information as requested.
The board voted to approve the MOU; Superintendent Gwen Chan thanked volunteers for their long-term support and noted an upcoming volunteer celebration event.
Next steps: SFSV will continue targeted recruiting, develop plans for volunteer interpretation services with city partners and return with implementation detail and budget information as requested by board members.
