HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - CHARACTER COUNTS CONTR (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approva :
Item to be presented by: Adele Macoherson�
DATE: August 27, 2002
SUBJECT: EXTENSION OF THE CHARACTER COUNTS!„„ CONSULTANT
CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I. Authorize a contract extension with Diane Ball, a nationally certified Character Education
Trainer, for an amount not to exceed $52,000. These funds have been budgeted in Fiscal
Year 2002-03 in Account Number 7455-8110.
2. Authorize City Manager, or his designee, to execute all documents thereto, subject to City
Attorney's approval.
BACKGROUND
CHARACTER COUNTS! is the nation's most widely used character education program. In
1987, Michael Josephson founded the Josephson Institute of Ethics and launched the
CHARACTER COUNTS! Program based on six core ethical values: trustworthiness,
responsibility, respect, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
In November 1995, the City of Santa Clarita adopted a resolution supporting CHARACTER
COUNTS! and joined the national CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition. Preschools, elementary
schools, junior high schools, high schools, and other youth -based programs throughout the
valley have adopted the program.
On February 13, 2001, City Council approved a one-year consultant contract for $52,000. This
request is an amendment to that contract in order to continue character development efforts
throughout Santa Clarita.
Over the past year, Ms. Ball has accomplished the following:
• Facilitated 30 character development trainings for City staff and community organizations.
Some community organizations include the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mwanis, Hart
District Advisory Council, and several elementary schools.
Continued the development of the CHARACTER COUNTS! coalition which includes
business professionals, school administrators, teachers, and active community members.
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• Distributed 60 business promotional kits.
• Assisted in the development and implementation of the Rally for Character — a special event
attended by over 700 residents.
Extension of the CHARACTER COUNTS! consultant contract will foster work toward
increasing membership and participation of the City's coalition and provide education and
training throughout the community. It will also aid in the development of character
development education in Spanish-speaking communities, schools, businesses, youth sports,
and community leaders.
This proposal extending consultant work of Ms. Ball, a nationally certified trainer, will aid the
City in accomplishing this goal. Ms. Ball has over 25 years experience as an educator at the
elementary level. She has been a teacher, a member of leadership teams, and a workshop
facilitator in the public school system in Los Angeles, Saugus, Canyon Country, and New York
State. In recent years, Ms. Ball has devoted herself to the study and implementation of
character education, participating in training in both Ohio and California. She is a certified
CHARACTER COUNTS! trainer and a graduate of "Ethics in the Workplace," a Josephson
Institute of Ethics training program. Ms. Ball has worked with the Josephson Institute of
Ethics, both as an employee and a volunteer. She holds a BA from Lake Erie College and a
Masters Degree (MST) in teaching from Fordham University.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by City Council.
FISCAL
Funding in the amount of $52,000 has been appropriated in Account Number 7455-8110 for
Fiscal Year 2002-03.
ATTACHMENT
None.
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