Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on January 14, 2026, and signed by the Mayor on January 15, 2026, authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with The Flying Classroom to Provide a Drone FAA Training Program for High School Youth Funded Through the Project Rise Grant - (over a six- to eight-week period, commencing upon execution of the agreement, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms; compensation under said agreement shall not exceed the sum of $30,000.00. The initial expenditures for this program shall be paid from budget line A7321.405 - Contracted Outside Services, with full reimbursement to the City to be made through the Project RISE grant, in accordance with grant requirements); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
FLYING CLASSROOM TO PROVIDE A DRONE
FAA TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
THROUGH THE PROJECT RISE GRANT
Whereas, in correspondence dated January 5, 2026, the Executive Director of the Youth Bureau formally requested authorization for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with The Flying Classroom, parent company of Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS), to provide a drone training program for high school-aged youth; and
Whereas, the proposed program shall serve approximately ten to fifteen (10-15) high school students over a period of six (6) to eight (8) weeks, with instruction delivered both in-person and virtually; and
Whereas, the Flying Classroom shall provide instruction funded through the Project RISE grant in partnership with FSW, which is a reimbursable grant and does not require City matching funds; and
Whereas, participating youth will learn practical STEM concepts and physics principles, including aerodynamics, motion, coding, programming, flight pathways, mathematics, engineering, measurements, data analysis, design, and mechanics, in a hands-on environment; and
Whereas, the program will also cultivate essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, teamwork, and provide exposure to careers in aviation, as well as complementary fields such as photography, filmmaking, and mapping; and
Whereas, the total cost of the program shall not exceed Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00), with initial up-front costs to be disbursed from budget line A7321.405 - Contracted Outside Services, with full reimbursement to the City through the Project RISE grant; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that providing hands-on STEM training and career exposure to youth supports educational development, workforce readiness, and the long-term interests of Mount Vernon residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with The Flying Classroom, parent company of Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS), to provide drone training for high school students under the Project RISE grant, in substantially the form presented to the City Council and on file with the City Clerk.
Section 2. Term. The term of the agreement shall be six (6) to eight (8) weeks, commencing upon execution of the agreement, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms.
Section 3. Compensation. Compensation under this agreement shall not exceed the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00).
Section 4. Funding Source. Initial expenditures for this program shall be disbursed from budget line A7321.405 - Contracted Outside Services, with full reimbursement to the City through the Project RISE grant in accordance with grant requirements.
Section 5. No Matching Funds Required. This ordinance acknowledges that the Project RISE grant is reimbursable in nature and does not require City matching funds.
Section 6. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance is adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or impair the validity of the remaining provisions.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.