Title
Resolution Requesting Approval of Lease Agreement with Say Yes to Education
Body
Department: Libraries
Council District: 3
Public Hearing: n/a
Advertising Date/By: n/a
Contact 1 and Phone: Brigitte Blanton, Library Director 336-373-2716
Contact 2 and Phone: Dena Keesee, Administrative Support Specialist 336-373-2698
PURPOSE:
City Council is requested to approve a Lease Agreement between Say Yes to Education and the City of Greensboro for use of space at the Greensboro Public Library, located at 219 N. Church Street, Greensboro.
BACKGROUND:
After a national search, Guilford County is the next Say Yes to Education community. Say Yes provides an unprecedented opportunity for our community to work together to ensure that every graduate of Guilford County Schools can get a post-secondary education.
Say Yes to Education is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 by money manager George Weiss when he promised 100 sixth graders at a Philadelphia public school that he would pay to send them to college if they graduated from high school. Since then, Say Yes has evolved into a national nonprofit that galvanizes communities to help public school students get the support they need to graduate from high school, prepared for post-secondary education, and to help students afford and complete the certification or degree they choose. Say Yes works as an investor and facilitator bringing government, school, nonprofit, community and parent leaders to the same table to make key funding and operational decisions focused on building successful pathways for students. Say Yes invests $15 million over 5 years to help seed and expand key supports, to develop common measures, and to fund a small core staff to coordinate work across silos.
Say Yes to Education will have an office in Greensboro and High Point to provide service to the community. The proposed location in Greensboro is ideal because it is located on a bus line and near the depot to enable families’ access. The location also promotes collaboration between Say Yes and the library. The City has a designee on the Operating Committee, Scholarship Board and Community Leadership Council and through the development of taskforces there will be continued opportunities for collaboration and coordination which shall include the Greensboro Public Library.
The proposed lease is for six years and Say Yes to Education will be responsible for all improvements to the location. The space is currently vacant and has not been utilized in the past few years.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is minimal budget impact to the City. Say Yes to Education is responsible for all improvements to the location and all janitorial services, phone and data lines.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
City Council is requested to approve a Lease Agreement between Say Yes to Education and the City of Greensboro for use of space at the Greensboro Public Library, located at 219 N. Church Street, Greensboro and authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Community Services Committee.