09-15-2020 - AGENDA ITEM 13 DISTANCE LEARNING CENTERS FOR STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS WITHIN THE CITY12/1/2020
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AGENDA ITEM NO. 13
DATE: September 15, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: DISTANCE LEARNING CENTERS FOR STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS WITHIN THE
CITY
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
BACKGROUND:
In order to assist students who have difficulty studying at home, Mayor Pro Tern Lopez-Viado suggested
opening community centers to allow students and parents alternative distance learning locations.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the City's community centers have been closed.
During this time, schools were closed and students have engaged in learning through online platforms. The
three local districts - West Covina Unified, Covina Valley Unified, and Rowland Unified - have been teaching
classes online and will continue online teaching until Los Angeles County is no longer on the State of
California's "widespread" risk level map.
DISCUSSION:
The City and school districts have a history of partnering on various programs. Establishing a distance learning
center would involve opening one or two community centers - Cameron Community Center and/or Shadow
Oak Community Center. Both facilities have also been closed since the start of the pandemic in March.
Opening either Community Center would involve bringing back part-time staff, utility
costs, and cleaning costs. Staff estimates the costs at approximately $15,000 - $20,000 per facility, depending
upon what services the City provides versus the school districts. West Covina USD has been offered the use of
the Cameron Park Community Center as a distance learning center. Based upon preliminary discussions with
the WCUSD, the largest of the three Districts, the District believes it has adequate resources and at the present
time does not see the need to open distance learning centers at City facilities. However, should the needs
change the District and City can revisit the matter.
Separately, City staff is also exploring options of partnering with the County Library on programs. This is a
longer term idea because the County library is closed and no reopening date has been set.
OPTIONS:
Options available to the City Council include:
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12/1 /2020
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1. Move ahead and open a distance leaming facility (ies) and approve a corresponding budget amendment; or
2. Wait for further input from the School District before proceeding with distance learning centers; or
3. Provide staff alternative direction.
Prepared by: Mark Persico, Assistant City Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of opening the community center at Cameron Park or Shadow Oak Park is approximately
$15,000 - $20,000 per location, which includes the cost of part-time staff, utilities and cleaning. Funding has
not been appropriated for this program. However, if the City Council desires to proceed, staff will return with
a complete cost breakdown and budget amendment request.
CITY Respond to the Global COVID-19 Pandemic
COUNCIL
GOALS &
OBJECTIVES:
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