Title:

5.  LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DR. ZUORUI SONG FULFILLING TERMS TO HOUSE TEACHERS IN THE CHINESE GUEST TEACHER PROGRAM.

Requested Action:

A.  THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE A TWO-YEAR, PLUS 1 MONTH SECURITY DEPOSIT, LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND DR. ZUORUI SONG FOR FURNISHED HOUSING, AT $900.00 PER MONTH PER TEACHER, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $56,250 PER YEAR.

B.   THAT THE DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT UPON APPROVAL AS TO FORM.

Summary Explanation and Background:

The Duval County Public Schools has entered into an agreement for guest teachers from China to initiate a program of study of Chinese language and culture in our schools.  In the agreement, teachers are paid a salary by Hanban, Chinese Ministry of Education, while the Duval County Public Schools agrees to pay for visa fees, housing, utilities, and transportation.

Benefits to Duval County Public Schools are as follows:

• Availibility of expertly trained teachers of Chinese language and culture.
• Cost effectiveness.  Each teacher unit cost will be reduced by one half of average teacher unit cost.
• Salary and benefits are paid by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
• Reduction in the current real estate rental market rate from $1,300.00 per month per teacher to $900.00 per month per teacher, as researched by the Facilities Department.

The real estate staff researched numerous apartment complexes for one bedroom apartments.  When considering the program will have the need to house five teachers, the real estate staff looked at alternatives to reduce the housing expense.  A financially responsible alternative is to rent housing with a location which would be supportive to the incoming teachers by the surrounding community and by support groups.  There are sixty Chinese-American families living in this community.  Housing the teachers in a single location will provide acculturation and collegial support for the visiting teachers.   The furnished residence will accommodate the needs of the teachers.  The lessor will be responsible for landscape maintenance.

It is recommended that the Duval County Public Schools enter into a lease agreement with Dr. ZuoRui Song to lease the fully furnished residence for a two-year period plus one month security deposit at $900.00 per month per teacher. The security deposit will be utilized to pay for any damages incurred or any necessary carpet cleaning, painting, etc., with any balance refunded at termination of the lease.  The Duval County Public Schools will be responsible for the utilities at an estimated cost of $400.00 per month.  The utilities will be placed in the name of Duval County Public Schools and will be paid from the same funding source as the lease agreement.  The Duval County Public Schools is afforded a wholesale rate for utilities.  The Duval County Public Schools will be provided with a 60-day out clause allowing termination of the lease with 60 days notice to the owner. 

A copy of the Terms of Agreement outlining the requirement for Duval County School Board to provide housing, utilitites, and transportaion for Chinese guest teachers is maintained in the World Languages office for review. 

A copy of the lease agreement will be maintained in the Real Estate office.

New Century Commission Recommendation/OPPAGA Recommendation/Council of Great City Schools Recommendation:
NA

Financial Impact (Including HR/headcount/Source of Funds):

The contract amount not to exceed $112,500.00 will be provided through Title II and general operating funds. For the remainder of school year 2006-2007, the funding source will be RC #1720 fund #11133.

In school year 2007-2008, the funding source will be RC #3277 fund #10025.

For Additional Information, contact:

Brenda G. Trimble, Supervisor
ESOL/World Languages                                    390-2202

Myrna Amos, Director, School Programs              390-2253