HCPS FL Logo Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 2013
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of Zula’s Discovery Afterschool Program Science Materials from Educational Holdings, LLC, D/B/A Zula International (Sole-Source Provider) for Hillsborough Out-of-School Time (HOST) Programs (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Zula’s Afterschool Discovery Program provides interactive, investigative activities designed to cause children to think scientifically.  Zula’s Afterschool Discovery Program is aligned with the Florida K-5 Science Standards and with the Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs. The purchase will include 57 Environmental Missions Bundles and 57 Habitats Mission Bundles.  Students engaged in the Habitats Missions will learn ways to make healthy habitats for plants and animals, and how to protect their environment.  From the forest floor to the ocean floor and from the treetops to the wave tops, students will explore different habitats and the diversity of life they contain.  Students engaged in the Environmental Missions will discover the difference between weather and climate.  Students will make their own weather measurement tools and create their own greenhouse effect.  Zula’s Afterschool Discovery Program will be used in 113 HOST elementary schools sites (see attached).  For implementation purposes, half of the HOST sites will utilize the Environmental Missions while the other half of the HOST sites will be implementing the Habitats Missions.  At the completion of these Missions, the kits will be exchanged to allow all students to participate in both the Environmental and Habitats missions. One kit will remain in the HOST Administrative Office.

Zula’s Afterschool Discovery Program kits are considered sole-source and are exempt from the bidding process per Florida Department of Education 6A-1.012 purchasing policies as purchased directly from the publisher.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The cost of 114 kits, including consumables and staff training, totals $77,103.20.  The full cost will be paid by the HOST Program.
EVALUATION
The anticipated date of evaluation will be March 2014.
SUBMITTED BY:  Marie Caracciola, Director, Early Childhood and HOST Programs
Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent   Gretchen Saunders
Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130813_593 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.02