HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07082008 - C.91 6 L Contra
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Anne Cain, County Librarian011
Costa
DATE: July 8, 2008 - ' Count
srA-coutz'�
SUBJECT: Approve and Authorize the Librarian, or designee, to execute a three-year contract with
Brainfuse, Inc.
SPECIFIC REQUES"I(S)OR RECOMMENDATION (S)& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and authorize the County Librarian, or designee, to execute a three-year contract with Brainluse Inc. in an amount
not to exceed $279,999 to provide online tutoring services and homework assistance from July 1, 1.008 through June 30,
2011.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The cost of the service is $93333 annually and is included in the library's 2008/09.budget. This results in a savings of
$48,719 from the"I'utor.com 2008/09 cost of$142,052.
BACKGROUND
The Contra Costa County Library has offered online tutoring service and homework assistance through Tutor.com since
2005/06. Using online tutoring and homework assistance, students in grades 3 —12 connect with experts in mathematics,
English, social studies, and science and receive assistance with homework and writing assignments. Students may access
the service either through library computers or home computers. This service has been very popular with students in
Contra Costa County:
Year Number of users
2005/06 8,104
2006/07 11,773
2007/08 (through April) 12,674
Library staff recently conducted a comparison of Tutor.com and Brainfuse and has recommended that the library change to
Brainfusc for the following reasons:
• The services offered by the two vendors are comparable, but Brainfusc offers service enhancements such as:
o lessons are aligned with state and federal education mandates
o a writing lab is provided to assist with papers and reports
o Spanish speaking tutors are available more hours
o skill building lessons are offered in addition to tutoring sessions
• The cost for Brainfuse is significantly less than the cost for Tutoncom. The payment history for Tutor.com is
as follows:
o 2005/06 All costs paid for by the California State Library
o 2006/07 Contra Costa County paid $62,148, California State Library paid $79,904
o 2.007/08 Contra Costa County paid $72,999, California State Library paid $72,000
o 2008/09 Contra Costa County would have to pay the entire amount of$142,052
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ® YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
❑APPROVE ❑ OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
C` (���•�
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS REC MMENDED M OTHER ❑
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF
C,UNANIMOUS(ABSENT YAUr ) AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: _NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: rr''
ATTESTED �� � zV
Contact: Anne Cain,County Librarian
(925)646-6423 JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
cc: County Library Administration
County Administrator pp
County Auditor By ��- VL.I�C.� �� ,Deputy
O:\BOS\FY 07-08\Board Orders\Brainfuse contract.doc
Contra Costa County Library
Page 2
Contra Costa County Children's Impact Statement
This program supports the following community outcomes:
Children Ready for and Succeeding in School
This service will serve over 12,000 children annually through one-on-one homework help from live, online
tutors. In addition, the State-aligned skills building lessons will help students master key academic areas.
Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood
Students will become more engaged in the learning process when they work one-to-one online with a tutor. By
offering a range of services, including one-to-one on homework, studying, and test prep, student are able to
obtain assistance tailored to their specific assignment and need.
0:\BOS\I'1'07-08\13oard Orders\I3rainluse contracl.doc