REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Accept the FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26 California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) English as a Second Language (ESL) Grant Awards for the Read Santa Clara Program and Approve the Related Budget Amendments
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The California State Library, California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) received one-time state budget funding in FY 2021/22 for English as a Second Language (ESL) services, to be allocated over a five-year period to qualifying libraries in the State of California. The Santa Clara City Library Department’s Read Santa Clara program applied for this grant and was awarded a total of $55,500 in CLLS ESL Grant Award funds in FY 2022/23.
This funding allowed Read Santa Clara to hire an ESL Program Specialist and an ESL Program Assistant as temporary employees to provide ESL services for adults with the most critical needs. Read Santa Clara's ESL instruction focuses on adult learners at beginning English language levels who are unable to benefit from large group ESL classes due to limited or no English language skills. The program offers tutoring at the library for community members referred by Santa Clara Adult Education, and to diverse immigrants and refugees at beginning ESL levels. Small group ESL tutoring is also offered at two school sites, Scott Lane Elementary and Montague Elementary, for parents who often lack childcare or transportation to get to other ESL classes. With this funding, the Library Department was able to achieve the following:
• Served 71 adult learners since the inception of the program
• Provided learners with 580 hours of instruction in English, with three small groups and 18 one-to-one pairs
• Worked with learners to set goals and track achievements. After making use of Library ESL services:
o 62% of learners were able to communicate with a doctor
o 66% of learners could communicate better with their child’s teachers
o 75% of learners were able to communicate better at work
o 82% of learners were better able to navigate community systems and services
o 83% of learners could communicate essential personal information in English
DISCUSSION
The California State Library awarded Santa Clara City Library additional grant funding of $61,618 for FY 2024/25 and $64,709 for FY 2025/26, for a total ESL grant award amount of $126,327 for the Read Santa Clara ESL program. The grants were awarded for the last two years of the ESL grant and are not anticipated to continue after FY 2025/26 due to funding reductions to CLLS. The grant funds will be used to fully offset costs for the salaries of two temporary employees, an ESL Program Specialist and an ESL Program Assistant, as well as instructional resources and other supplies for the ESL program.
The ESL grant requires that the grant awards be deposited in the City’s accounting system. The FY 2024/25 grant funds are required to be fully expended at the time of the submission of the CLLS Final Grant Report, anticipated to be due on September 30, 2025. The FY 2025/26 grant funds are required to be expended by June 30, 2026. Staff will monitor and evaluate any unexpended funds against budget and expenses to ensure requirements are met.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Following the Board of Library Trustees’ consideration of this item on May 6, 2024, the total ESL grant awards of $126,327 is being brought forward to the City Council for final approval. The grant awards will offset operational costs for Read Santa Clara’s ESL Services including two as-needed positions and ESL instructional resources. Budget actions are recommended in the Library Operating Grant Trust Fund to appropriate the FY 2024/25 funding, including an increase to the Other Agencies Revenue estimate and the establishment of a grant appropriation for the acceptance of the $61,618 grant award. Staff will propose the FY 2025/26 grant appropriation of $64,709 in the next FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 Operating Budget Cycle.
Budget Amendment
FY 2024/25
|
Library Operating Grant Trust Fund |
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue Other Agencies Revenue |
$0 |
$61,618 |
$61,618 |
|
Expenditures ESL Tutoring Services 2024-25 |
$0 |
$61,618 |
$61,618 |
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Accept the total English as a Second Language (ESL) grant award of $126,327 ($61,618 for FY 2024/25 and $64,709 for FY 2025/26) for the Read Santa Clara program;
2. Approve the FY 2024/25 budget amendment in the Library Operating Grant Trust Fund to recognize $61,618 in grant revenue and establish a grant appropriation in the same amount for ESL Services as part of the Read Santa Clara program (five affirmative Council votes required to appropriate additional revenue).
Staff
Reviewed by: Michelle Templeton, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. California State Library CLLS ESL Grant Award Letter FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26