Well, they should contact me because we're always looking for doctors.
But I'd like -- Could you provide to the Chair a letter, a recruiting pitch, a flyer where you have reached out for all of these, again, 2650 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 people -- And I'm not talking about the ones that have these residency -- these short period where they have to move in. That's not important to me. But the ones that get these long-term -- Give me an example. Let me look at this. Give me an example of a doctor that's had a waiver for... Look, we have a doctor on here that's been on this list since 1999, maybe even older.
'91. What kind of arrangement -- And I don't think this is privileged. It's public information. How do these doctors get paid? How do we come up with their compensation?
Their compensation is set by the -- We have an executive pay plan that applies to executives in the Civil Service, and they are covered in the pay plan, just like other Civil Service employees.
So how do you 2651 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 work part-time and be Civil Service?
How do you work part-time? That's an interesting question. It has to do with the needs of the Health Department to cover their operation. It also has to do with the availability of the doctors.
So why don't we -- If we want to work them, why don't we work them for eight hours?
That's a question I think you should direct to the Health Department. See, we don't get into the operations of the department. We just do the hiring for them at their request.
Doctors that work in hospitals work eight hours plus, I think, most doctors, plus. Plus, plus, plus. How much money -- What would you think the hourly rate would be for one of these physicians in different categories?
We have to get back to you with that. 2652 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 I can tell you this: That it's not... I believe they can do better in private practice than they can do working for us. It's not astronomical.
Well, there's a lot -- I know a tremendous amount of doctors that have left employment because of malpractice. They've left and have retired at young ages because they don't want to spend the money for malpractice insurance. I assume when you work for the City of Philadelphia you're automatically covered by malpractice, right?
So in this world, with hospitals closing all over this region, just now one on Henry Avenue, I would think that you need, as a Personnel Department, to really start re-addressing this issue, and go out and start looking for doctors that may be interested in working here in the City, because this to me is very interesting issue. And I think it really opens up... If you really start looking at this very carefully, 2653 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 it opens up Pandora's Box.
You make some really good points. And I will address this with Commissioner Domzowski.
I appreciate it. The next question that I have: I understand -- and we talked about it a few weeks ago during a hearing. I forget what it was. But the contract recently was negotiated where people can leave employment for six months and collect a part of their pay or six months or more and collect two-thirds of their pay. And I understand it was part of the bargaining process, where a person can actually go off sick.
Tell me about that. And that was -- That apparently was something that was just negotiated in this most recent contract. And could you explain the program for the record, exactly how it's going to 2654 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 work. In fact, is it going to be implemented or is it a throwaway deal? What exactly is this issue? And if you could better explain it than I have, I'd appreciate it.
The way it works, new employees will have a reduced number of sick days, and will be offered a... will be given a short-term disability policy that will be -- that they won't be paying for, that will cover them if they're out sick. The RFP for the short-term disability has not gone out yet. So, the program has not been implemented. That will be coming up shortly. We've been working on reviewing the RFP, and it's pretty close to going out. Once the RFP goes out -- And by the way, we're working with the unions on teams. And this is not just management, but union and management are going to be working on veting the different insurance plans, et cetera, so we come up with something that works for everybody. So, 33 and 47 are involved.
What I want to 2655 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 hear is, tell me about the plan. Tell me about the Police Department, the civilian employees there. Describe exactly what this program is. I tried the best I could to describe it, but explain to me a person that works as a communication dispatcher in police radio, if they choose to take advantage of this new program, describe to me what it means. They go to their boss. They come in with a note. They go off on this insurance program. They can go off for six months, is it? Eight months?
So basically an employee has a reduced number of sick days. Once they've used up their sick days, then they can... At certain point the STD, the short-term disability kicks in. The total package isn't finalized, so I can't really give you step by step until 2656 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 we have --
Tell me what was negotiated, and I'll be happy with that.
Well, you're the personnel person. They mostly communicate with you.
I know, but the Director of Labor Relations was much more involved in the details.
Well, each department will have new employees who come in, who will have this short-term disability available to them. They will be earning a 2657 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 reduced number of sick days per year.
So three days' 8 reduction has created a program that will do 9 what? 10
So, one of the 11 problems we have with new employees is that 12 if they have an illness that -- Let's say 13 they were in an automobile accident or they 14 have an operation. 15 They come in. They have no time in the bank, so they have to use -- They don't get paid because if they only have six sick days, for example, and they need to be off for a month, they have no cushion. In this case, if something like that happens, two-thirds of the salary will be paid.
So a person that works for the City can... Will this be automatic, this program -- This insurance policy is going to be paid for by the City of Philadelphia?
We don't know yet until the RFP goes out and we get responses.
So, a person can go off for six months and collect two-thirds of their salary.
Obviously, with documentation. They wouldn't -- I mean, there will be some -- They'll have to report in, and doctors' notes, et cetera. And they'll also be -- You know, just like they do for FMLA and everything else.
Be interesting. When should all this kick in? 2659 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
Those of us who are involved in this have been so busy with so many other things. It's been a very busy year between --
I think this is going to go out later this month or in May.
And there's no 14 ballpark or estimated ... Is money budgeted?
That's a budget bureau question. It's not in my department.
May I ask The Budget Director to please come to the witness table. Miss Reed, I believe you heard the question. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: Diane Reed, Budget Director. Yes, I heard the question. 2660 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 The FY'06 budget had an estimated increase in it, I believe, for health and welfare expenses overall, not for any program specifically. And I don't know what the -- I have to find out what the '06 number is.
Well, you heard that this was just recently negotiated in the last contract. And you're telling me the increase was what? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: We had, I think, about a nine percent increase in health and welfare.
Would there be a line item in there that would indicate what this program... THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: No. No, I don't think there's a specific line item for that.
Well, how would we identify the potential cost of this negotiated benefit? THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: We would assume it would just be part of the overall cost. Until it's identified, I don't think 2661 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 we can break it out.
So a nine percent increase is intended to cover this and any other improvements to the benefit package. THE BUDGET DIRECTOR: I think so.
That sounds right. The money is in Finance. That's why I couldn't be more specific about it.
Okay. When will you have an -- When will you be able to tell the Chair what this program potentially can cost the City?
Once the RFPs have been returned to us, and we have the information from the various vendors, we will have a much more specific idea of the cost.
Have you explored your potential exposure here from other... I know that you look at other municipalities and the private sector. Do other municipalities utilize this particular program?
I'm not sure their program looks like ours, but other entities 2662 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 like the School District have short-term disability. It's not really a new thing.
-- what the cost is. Diane Reed, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
You're welcome. Councilwoman Blackwell, your light is on. Do you want to be recognized?
Yes. One quick question, which is I note in the testimony that you referred to appeals, 129 appeals issued and 107 opinion orders resolving appeals. Give us some idea of what that's like and what resolving appeals means, and what happened to the ones in the middle, since it's the difference between 129 and 107. 2663 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
Okay. The difference is those that have not been concluded. So, there's some that are still outstanding.
Some of the appeals take multiple hearings. So, if it's a simple appeal, then it may be one hearing, but some of them go three, four hearings. So, that's why they aren't concluded. And it's a matter of getting the parties together. Sometimes the lawyers for the party are not available, et cetera.
In terms of the types of appeals, there are several categories that the Commission hears. They deal with... For example, most recently they had 33 cases regarding dismissal, demotion and suspensions. There were 14 relating to injury and disability. Involuntary resignations, there was one. Layoffs to be heard will be 22. Performance report. People have the 2664 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 ability to grieve their performance report. So, these are the types of hearings that they handle.
I guess in terms of the orders, there were 29 cases that were dismissed. Now, I don't know what that means exactly, although what happens is, sometimes people do not appear. And when they don't appear, those cases are dismissed. There are some cases that are settled. There were four that were settled last year. Some people ask for reconsideration, and, you know, that's kind of how it goes.
You're welcome. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. Lynda Orfanelli, I want to go back and go over this, so you can explain to me. 2665 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 We have a Department of Aviation. We have an Airport Operations Officer that doesn't have to move into the City until 2/28 or -- I 5 can't make it out -- of 2006. 6 What's the length -- How long has 7 this person... The hire date I can see over 8 here is 2... So, they have an entire year? 9
Usually with Civil 10 Service there's a one year. You have up to 11 one year to move in. Sure, if you move in 12 sooner, that's fine. 13 But part of the reason for that is 14 because you're on probation for the first six 15 months. And you could be rejected during 16 probation. 17 With that in mind, we figure that 18 most people won't really be looking for where 19 they're going to permanently move or buy a 20 house or whatever until they know they've 21 completed that six-month probationary period 22 because if they become rejected, if they're 23 rejected then they spent a lot of money maybe 24 for nothing. 25
I know this isn't 2666 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 your area, but I'm going to put it out there for the record. Does that also waive... Many of these people -- Not many. There's probably some people, and I can imagine there's some people on this list from Aviation that have City vehicles or Division of Aviation vehicles. Are they allowed to take them out of state? That might not be your area.
I don't believe anyone can take a City vehicle out of state without a bona fide reason and permission.
Well, the Airport Operations Officer lives in Millville, New Jersey. And I'm not sure he commutes or she commutes by personal vehicle.
-- you've got a car. But I might be wrong. And I'll be the first to admit that.
-- back to the Chair. I'd like to see what you've done to recruit because, again, I think we can find you some docs that live here and might be available for this deal.
Thank you. Are there any other questions or 2668 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
The next department to testify is Personnel. Personnel. You're going to testify for Personnel? Again, we have a copy.
Okay. Do you want me to... Most of those questions directed to me were actually Personnel questions.
I know they were. I know they were. On -25 of your detail, you're creating a new division called Shared Services at a cost of $1.3 million. Can you explain what this is for?
Okay. Prior to this year the Personnel Department was divided into two divisions. We had the Benefits Administration. And everything else was called Provision of 2669 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 Qualified Personnel. However, that did not take into account the true organization. And so, this year I asked our budget people to realign all the money in the appropriate way, to show what we spent for hiring services, what we spent for benefits, and what we spent for shared services. Shared services is our administrative area, our EEO, our MIS, our general support and transactions. So, that services we provide City wide. Hiring services is strictly hiring, and that's also provided City wide, but it's a very specific type of operation, as opposed to a very much more general or different types of operations, I guess you would say. So the money is just realigned.
Miss Orfanelli, the five-year plan indicated that the administration was going to to become self-insured for medical care for the City administered plan. What is happening with this 2670 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 initiative? And can you tell us when you expect this to occur, and how it will work?
Okay. This year our contracts for medical, dental and prescription are over at the end of '05. So, we will have RFPs on the street for all three medical insurances. We will ask for quotes both insured and self insured. Once we get all the information back and look at what will give us the best value and the most savings, a final determination will be made. We are not one hundred percent tied to self insured. We think that's where we're going, but we don't know that until we get everything back. Now, we've gone self insured this year ahead of time on prescription because the metrics that we reviewed were pretty -- looked like it was not risky and worth doing. And so far in the first quarter, our results bear that out. Medical... We will make those decisions probably this summer. So the budget bureau made an assumption that 2671 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 we would go self insured, but that isn't final.
I think we all have to be briefed on that before something definite is decided.
Councilwoman Blackwell, your light is on. Did you want to be recognized?
Yes, Madam President. I just wanted to have the Personnel Director confirm that we're still on hold on that $35 fee, except for rare instances. Is that correct?
You're welcome. When do you anticipate that you will have to administer a police recruit exam?
I think we will be 2672 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 administering a police recruit exam sometime this -- I would say either August or September, maybe a little -- possibly earlier than that, but somewhere in that time.
Thank you. Are there any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
Thank you. Human Relations Commission is next. Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon. My name is Rachael S. Lawton. I'm the Acting Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. And I'm here today with?
We do have 2673 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 a copy of your testimony which will be given to the stenographer. It will be transcribed in full. I would ask you to summarize your testimony, please.
The Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission are requesting a combined budget of $2,055,637 in fiscal year '06 which reflects $233,021 less than fiscal year '05 estimated obligations. PCHR is authorized 35 staff positions which is a decrease of 6 positions from the number of fiscal year '05 filled positions. These position reductions will help to offset the City's ongoing projected deficit. Through a contract with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, we investigate discrimination complaints that have been filed with both agencies. PCHR received a work sharing contract with EEOC to investigate 335 complaints in fiscal year '04 for $168,700 2674 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 and in federal fiscal year '05 a contract to investigate 334 cases for $168,200. And we anticipate receiving a similar size EEOC contract in federal fiscal year '06. We have closed to date 162 discrimination cases. We projected that we would close approximately 421 cases by the end of fiscal year '05, but we have reviewed our year-to-date activity. We are below our targeted numbers, and therefore we are reducing our projected closures. We also have reduced our anticipated intake unit for our compliance figures, also due to reduction in intake. We released the translation of six pamphlets into seven different languages: Cambodian, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. The translations will be used as part of an overall educational campaign to increase accessibility, outreach and visibility in the City's ethnic neighborhoods. Our Community Relations Division is 2675 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 dedicated to responding to intergroup tension throughout the City, and to promoting intergroup communication and understanding. We also respond to any kind of neighborhood dispute, and assist neighbors in resolving their differences through mediation. A number of examples have been given of the different kinds of inter-group tension cases we have responded to throughout the City, along with the neighborhood disputes. And I won't go over each one of those that are in your testimony. But to conclude, often what does not boil up into a major problem is a result of early intervention and information sharing with the Interagency Civil Rights Task Force and agencies throughout the City. In fiscal year '06 we will continue to build and nurture a broad network of communication between immigrant groups, community organizations, schools and law enforcement, to effectively respond to intergroup tension and promote understanding 2676 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 among the many races, religions and cultures that make up the great fabric of the City. This concludes my testimony, and I'd be happy to answer my questions you may have.
Thank you. On of your testimony, you mention that you receive a grant from the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission.
Why aren't these funds reflected in your budget?
We don't. They go into the General Fund. It used to be years and years ago that they were tied to specific positions at the Commission. But, like, 15 or so years ago, that was changed so that all of the money went into the General Fund. 2677 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 But it was used to just, you know, to show the kind of work we're doing and to justify the number of investigators we had, and what we're doing with the Federal Government. It ends up bringing funds back into the City. But that's what was worked out, like, years ago. 10
Very 15 we'll. We'll look into that. At this time I would like to recognize Councilwoman Brown.
On your testimony, you discuss an initiative with the Northeast Violence Prevention Task Force, and that in FY'05 you sponsor an event 2678 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 addressing teen violence. Can you please speak to the plans that you have in addressing that particular issue for the upcoming year, and to what extent there's been some thinking about the value of partnering or collaborating with others in our City who care about the same issue.
Well, that's a really timely question because Reverend Allen, our Chair, who I'm sure you know, we just brought this subject up at our last Commission meeting. And it actually has been the subject of previous meetings, of how, even though the Commission primarily has response to intergroup tension, we are so connected out in the neighborhoods, how can we act as an agency that can bring these various groups together, since we have this network together.
And we are planning a meeting for the first week in May to do 2679 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 exactly that. And I just called Bilal Cayune the other day and told him that we were thinking of trying to connect all the folks that are working on the front lines and responding to violence, along with other folks, non-profits, charitable organizations, and other kinds of organizations that might want to have a connection to bring some resources to those folks.
And be a broker, to bring those, to identify needs and connect them with resources. And we're planning that. And we hope to do more of that in the coming year. So, we're very concerned about that, and do see a role for the Commission in that regard.
Will that meeting be focused purely on the "X" games or just the broad issue that it is?
I'm sure myself and other members of this body will be interested in staying on top of that. So, if 2680 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 you could shoot forward just the dates of those meetings to President Verna.
Particularly if you're interested in broad-based participation.
Okay. Secondly, on of your testimony, I believe it is, you discussed planning and supporting the Latino Leadership Institute. And you state that there would be involvement in FY'06. What have been the results of the past year, with regards to the Commission's involvement with that initiative?
Well, we have a relatively new employee, bilingual employee, who's gotten very involved in helping to kind of to deal with the Latino Leadership Institute. I know that she goes to all the meetings. She's helping to be -- kind of connect the Commission up and other resources 2681 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 up to the institute and bring... You know, again, it's the role that we play a lot of times, trying to bring resources and connect people up, to basically empower people and get the resources and connect people up, to further everybody's goal.
I think it's our mission to go out and seek these kinds of opportunities. You know, for example, coming up, actually, next Thursday, we're having the Commissioners are going out to South Philly and meeting primarily with the new -- the growing Mexican immigrant community, to hear from them and the types of problems they have, and the issues that they're encountering, from crime, to schools, to lack of accessibility, irregardless of their immigrant status. So, that's another kind of example.
Example. Okay. Well, those were the two items I was 2682 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 struck by in your testimony. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. Are there any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
At long last, Community College. Good afternoon. Thank you all so much for your patience. We really appreciate it.
Thank you. Good afternoon, President Verna and members of City Council. I want to extend a sincere thank you for the opportunity to address this distinguished body. 2683 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 My name is Rhonda Cohen, and I am Chair of the Board of Trustees of Community College of Philadelphia. My colleagues on the board, who represent a diverse cross section of Philadelphia, are dedicated civic and business leaders. With your permission, I would like to introduce the board members present today, Dan MacElhatten and Dorothy Sumners Rush. Each of us eagerly offers our time and knowledge because we recognize the importance of Community College of Philadelphia. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, this is the perfect time to reflect upon the college's past contributions to Philadelphia, its present successes, and its role well into the future. Community College of Philadelphia first opened its doors in 1965, with an enrollment of 700 full-time and part-time students. This past September the college 2684 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 began its 40th anniversary year-long celebration of events deemed 40 years creating destinies. The college has been celebrating the achievements of prominent alumnae, including former State Senator Joseph Rocks, State Representative Dwight Evans, Charley Pizzi, and Roseanne Rosenthal. Many of our other alumnae have also spoken freely about the way Community College of Philadelphia helped shape their careers and goals. As you know, the college provides a gateway into higher education for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it. We can help adult students who have been out of school for some time bolster their skills so they can transfer to a four-year college or university. We also improve the employability of Philadelphia residents. 54 percent of all of our graduates do, indeed, transfer, but many more gain employment in such marketable fields as nursing, dental hygiene, retail 2685 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 management, paralegal studies, computer information systems, and many others. Our most recent enrollment figures tell us that we are educating more than 40,000 students in the credit and non-credit areas, with these numbers continuing to grow. More than 55 percent of our graduates say they would not have been able to pursue academic degrees or other types of training if the college did not exist. While Community College of Philadelphia remains committed to addressing the City's educational priorities, it needs the continued support of the City to educate Philadelphians, and to serve as a foundation for college transfer, employment and life-long learning. On behalf of our entire Board of Trustees, I wish to express our appreciation to you and Mayor Street for recognizing the importance of Community College of Philadelphia to our City. Our faculty, administrators, staff and students are engaged and productive in 2686 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 fulfilling our mission of educating all who may benefit. The support of the City is essential to help educate a skilled work force and help us develop tomorrow's leaders. This is critical to the long-term growth of Philadelphia. Now I would like to introduce Dr. Stephen M. Curtis, President of Community College of Philadelphia who will present formal testimony to Council. Dr. Curtis.
Good afternoon. I'm not going to read the testimony. I'm just going to summarize it.
In the interest of your time today. I'm Stephen Curtis, President of Community College. As our Board Chair suggested, we know that even in times of getting less, we 2687 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 think we're doing more. The number of our graduates each year is increasing. The number of those graduates who go on to a baccalaureate program and then achieve a baccalaureate is increasing. Our relationship with partners in the community, such as the School District of Philadelphia, is expanding. And we give a particular example which I won't site publicly, but is in our written testimony. And there are very specific examples of success and student outcomes on the work force side as well. If there's any cloud over all this, it is the fiscal situation that we, like so many, face at this moment. And I would like to make just a couple of comments about that. Our testimony today is in support of the Mayor's funding recommendation for the 2005-2006 budget. The Mayor has recommended that the City's contribution to our funding be maintained at exactly the same level as it has been in 2004, 2005. 2688 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 Given the tight fiscal environment, and given everything that's going on, that we are obviously aware of as well, we are thankful. We thank the Mayor. We hope that you will support this as City Council. And we are prepared to live with that budget level for next year. What I would like to do is just briefly give you the big picture and maybe even look beyond next year. In the past two years, primarily due to the economy, we have grown at record rates at the college. For the past two years we have set all-time records for enrollment. In a typical year at Community College, because of enrollment growth, because of normal contractual obligations and the like, our budget gross $5 to $6 million annually. For the past two years plus next year, the City will have contributed no 23 additional dollars toward that $5 to $6 million increase each year. For the past two years the state has 2689 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 decreased its commitment to community colleges. Unlike the City, it does not give a lump sum allocation. It gives a per student reimbursement. It's all embedded in statute. And I won't go into the detail right now. But for the first time in the history of community colleges in the Commonwealth, for the past two years the state did not meet that statutory commitment. For all the students that we took in, it only gave us a portion, a significant portion, but not the full portion of funding. And that was the principal reason that last year our college finished with a $2 million deficit. For the coming year, the Governor has proposed restoring to the previous level. So, there's literally an increase in the state's budget for us. But just so you understand the context, that increase matches what hadn't been happening last year and this year, and does not make up what we've lost in the last 2690 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 two years. Neither does the state begin to address its share of capital funds which we desperately need right now, with all the additional students we've taken in. In fact, we need to expand facilities, and we need to renovate many of the older facilities that we have. 3 percent this year, and approximately -- will be approximately percent next year. 17 You may recall that at the inception 18 of community colleges, the goal had been 33 percent. And for the last two years, as I indicated, even the state, which typically has done better meeting that percentage, it also hasn't met the 33 percent. The result has been that 52 percent of all of our operating funds are now provided by student tuition fees. A 2691 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 different way of saying it is, we are relying on tuition and fees to the same extent as private colleges. We're almost looking more like a private college than a public college, from that point of view.
As our public sources have not been able to sustain us in the way that we would hope, and as tuition and fees have increased, again I need to point out to you this year, the current academic year, saw the largest increase in tuition and fees in the history of our college. That's in pure dollars and percentage. Next year we'll see the second largest increase in tuition and fees in the history of the college. I think our plea today is not for next year. We support the recommendation that's in the budget. But if we could look past that, it will be important, I think, that the City resumes, despite all of the context that we perfectly understand, but resume some kind of regular increase over time for the college. Increasingly, if the burden falls 2692 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 only on our students, we will start to marginalize those residents of our community who need us the most. It is the very population that we were designed to serve. So, I urge the Council to look forward. I hope you will support the Mayor's recommendation this year, but looking forward, if we can't find another way to begin to build that funding support, it will undercut our very reason for existence, and I think it will absolutely impede our ability to help the City develop a skilled work force and an educated citizenry. So, as always, we thank you for your support, and we look forward to working with you to solve what are really some very difficult problems.
Doctor, we thank you and your board members for all of the wonderful work that you do, have done, and I'm sure will continue to do. And I want to assure you that we in City Council will do everything we can to support you. 2693 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon. I should say that I, too, am excited about the growing partnerships that Community College of Philadelphia continues to undertake and really take a leadership role in, with regard to the School District. And I was struck by this new advanced tech at college, a high school and college prep program which, according to testimony now, has about 30 students from high schools around the City. Please speak to how the students are chosen. And given the promise of the program, what plans are under way to... You know what we want to see. We want to see it grow.
So, what plans are under way to broaden that program?
Good. 2694 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 This is a pilot initiative, for the moment. I assume it will stay in place permanently, based on what we've seen so far. And then as far as growth, that will depend in part on funding, to be candid with you.
But this is a collaboration between the School District and the college. And for the first several years, we have a small amount of funding from the U.S. Department of Education as well.
But that will have a limited time frame. Most of the funding comes from the School District and the college. We have taken a cohort of 30 high school juniors. They are chosen by the School District. Think of it as a magnet school approach. 2695 Operating Budget - 4/6/05
But they are from seven of the lower performing high schools across the City. They are not A students. They are purposely students that -- chosen as students who have promise, who have excellent attendance records, but they are not the, you know, grade wise at the very top level, to begin with.
But the fact they show up is an indication of their --
That is one of the factors, yes. This is a program that is meant to lead to a degree in the area of computer technology.
So, these students must have an interest or aptitude in computer technology. They will finish their high school career on our campus. They'll become seniors next year. We will then take the next cohort of juniors. And from then on we'll always 2696 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 have a junior and senior class on campus. The curriculum is a blend of high school and college courses. The college courses count in dual enrollment way --
-- for high school units and college credit. When they graduate, they will have their high school diploma from their home high school, and they will have achieved 12 college credits toward the associate degree. 13 After the fall semester -- That's as 14 far as we've gotten so far... 15
...28 out of the 30 17 students had passed all courses, both high 18 school and college, and that meant those 28 19 had already gained six credits toward their 20 college degree. 21
The grant fund, 22 the federal government, is that multi year? 23
It is. It supports 24 basically the administrative infrastructure.
I see. 2697 Operating Budget - 4/6/05 And the makeup, the composition of that 30 students, can you speak to that gender ethnicity. Does it reflect the public school system?
I'm sorry. The ethnicity is absolutely totally reflective of the public schools.
Very well. Secondly, you mentioned an initiative in the coming year to be partners with early childhood grade 12 schools and four-year colleges and universities. What is the nature of these partnerships under way?
There are many of them. And maybe I should just backtrack for two seconds. You also asked about the overall context, I think, or alluded to it with the School District, when you said you hoped this could even expand.