Good Fences Make Good Communities: a School and Community Fence Mending Project

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD COMMUNITIES: A SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY FENCE MENDING PROJECT

Introduction The Riverdale Community College (RCC), in partnership with the Riverdale public school district and the Riverdale chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), is pleased to submit this proposal for the “Good Fences Make Good Communities: A School and Community Fence Mending Project.” The following proposal will respond to the Request for Application (RFA) with discussions including: 1) Opportunity Statement; 2) Target Audiences and Program Areas; 3) Specific Objectives and Activities of the Project Plan; 4) Long-Term Benefits to the College; 5) Key Personnel and Responsibilities; 6) Timeframe for Completion; and 7) Expected Outcomes and Evaluation.

1. Opportunity Statement This proposed project addresses two important issues in the Riverdale community. First, the Riverdale K-6 elementary school’s outdoor play area has no fencing to prevent children and play objects from leaving the schoolyard during recess. There is a busy highway next to the playground and the lack of schoolyard fencing represents a safety concern. Second, there is a lack of funding for community projects that can bring the school and community together and help build relationships that will benefit other aspects of community life. Our vision statement for the project is, “We will build better schools and community through a fence building project that involves teachers, students, parents and community members.”

2. Target Audiences and Program Areas K-6 school children, and their parents and teachers, will be directly impacted by the proposed project through a safer and more secure playground environment. Additionally, the entire community will benefit from the community project of fence building, and specifically the teachers, parents and children of the K-6 school, the RCC faculty and students who will lead the fence building effort, and the high school students of the FFA who will assist. The Program Area concentrated on is Fence Delivery and Installation Systems and Strategic Partnerships, as this project will involve an innovative community-based partnership in building fences.

3. Specific Objectives and Activities of the Project Plan There are two specific objectives for the project:  Objective One: Within 10 months, construct a safe and secure fence around the playground of the Riverdale K-6 elementary school.  Objective Two: Within 12 months, establish a long-term working relationship between the Riverdale K-6 elementary school, RCC, and Riverdale FFA, as evidenced by the successful collaborative fence building and specific plans for future projects.

The specific activities for the project are as follows:  Upon grant award, in October-November, RCC to conduct series of community meetings to introduce the project, garner community support, and develop community-based plans.  In December-January, RCC (with K-6 school and FFA) to solicit bids from fencing contractors and material suppliers. Successful bids must include provisions for community volunteerism and student involvement.  In February-March, RCC to hire fencing contractor. RCC to conduct community meeting to discuss specific installation plans and to develop the work schedule. Installation of fence will occur during summer break.  In April, contractor to deliver fencing materials and prepare supplies and equipment.  In May, RCC to conduct community meeting to prepare for community fence building days (one week in June).  In June, build fence with cooperation from K-6 school, FFA, and community.  In July, RCC to write up final technical and financial report on fence building activities and outcomes. RCC to conduct community meetings to discuss next community project.  In August-September, RCC to continue community meetings to identify future projects and make plans.

4. Long-Term Benefits to the College The specific long-term benefit to the college is a stronger working relationship with the community, and specifically with the public school system (elementary and high schools), which will hopefully improve student recruitment and preparedness for college.

5. Key Personnel and Responsibilities The Principal Investigator (PI) for the project will be Ralph Johnson, RCC vocational education instructor. Mr. Johnson will be responsible for the project and will devote 25% of his time over the course of the project. Sarah Fields, Riverdale Elementary assistant principal, will lead the school’s participation and she will devote 15% of her time. Norbert Matz, high school vocational instructor and FFA coordinator, will lead FFA’s effort and will devote 5% time.

6. Timeframe for Completion See the section 3 above for projected dates of completion and responsible personnel.

7. Expected Outcomes and Evaluation There are two specific outcomes expected from this project: 1) a safe and secure fence surrounding the playground of Riverdale Elementary School, which will lead to less risk of accidents and injury of students; and 2) a stronger coalition of community groups that will lead to more community-based projects in the future, and will ultimately improve the overall well- being of the community.

Evaluation activities will be conducted throughout the project, through the use of note-taking during community meetings, detailed record-keeping of project activities, and pre- and post- project interviews of the project’s key personnel and involved community members. Evaluation activities will be conducted by the RCC PI, Ralph Johnson. BUDGET NARRATIVE

I. Personnel Salaries and Fringe: The annual salaries and fringe rate of key personnel below are approved by their respective institutions and are necessary for the completion of the project. PI Ralph Johnson salary: 25% of $40,000 annual salary = $10,000 PI fringe: 20% of $10,000 = $2,500 Sarah Fields salary: 15% of $45,000 annual salary = $6,750 Sarah Fields fringe: 20% of $6,750 = $1,350 Norbert Matz salary: 5% of $30,000 annual salary = $1,500 Norbert Matz fringe: 20% of $1,500 = $300

RCC Administrative Support: Post-award grants management and financial accounting duties will be performed by the RCC Business Office and is estimated to require 5% time of an book- keeper at an annual salary of $25,000. = $1,250 + 20% fringe ($250) = $1,500

Fencing Contractor (labor), by bid: The fencing contractor will be selected by a competitive bid process in which labor costs will be capped at $10,000. Community support will be expected to provide some labor, lowering overall labor costs. = $10,000

TOTAL PERSONNEL: $33,900

II. Equipment and Supplies Fencing Materials: Materials for a chain link fence include steel posts, concrete, top and bottom rails, chain link fencing, gates, and delivery costs. Three estimated from local suppliers are available upon request. = $50,000

Fence Building Week Community Supplies: Community volunteers will need to be fed and refreshed during the week-long effort of building the fence. A first aid station, portable lavatory, and other amenities will need to be supplied. = $5,000

Community Meeting Supplies: Food and refreshments will be served at community meetings. Paper, pens, flipchart paper and other miscellaneous supplies will also be necessary. = $2,500

TOTAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: $57,500

III. Other Costs Local Travel: local personal mileage travel within the rural community area is estimated at 3,000 miles at 50 cents. = $1,500

Conference Travel: One trip for PI and FAA coordinator to attend two-day vocational education conference to present results of the project are estimated to be $500 RT airfare, $250 personal mileage, $400 lodging, $120 per diem, and $100 miscellaneous x 2 people = $2,740.

TOTAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: $4,240 TOTAL REQUESTED COSTS THIS PROJECT: $95,640