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, Parent Company of Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS), to Provide a Drone and Aviation Stem Program for Middle School Youth Funded Through the Project Rise Program - (over a six- to eight-week period; compensation under said agreement shall not exceed the sum of $20,000.00, subject to the terms and conditions of the Project RISE grant.. 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 and procedures); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
FLYING CLASSROOM, PARENT COMPANY OF
BARRINGTON IRVING TECHNICAL TRAINING
SCHOOL (BITTS), TO PROVIDE A DRONE AND
AVIATION STEM PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
YOUTH FUNDED 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 and Aviation STEM Program for middle school-aged youth; and
Whereas, the Flying Classroom proposes to provide a six (6) to eight (8) week instructional Drone Program serving approximately ten to fifteen (10-15) middle school students through a combination of in-person and virtual instruction; and
Whereas, the program will provide students with hands-on tools and instruction to build drones and learn core STEM concepts, including but not limited to aerodynamics, motion, coding, programming, flight pathways, mathematics, engineering, measurements, data analysis, design, and mechanics; and
Whereas, in addition to technical knowledge, participating youth will develop essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, teamwork, and exposure to careers in aviation, photography, filmmaking, mapping, and other high-demand STEM-related fields; and
Whereas, the total cost of the Drone Program shall not exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) for services rendered; and
Whereas, said program shall be funded through the Project RISE grant, in partnership with FSW, which is a reimbursable grant and does not require any local matching funds; and
Whereas, the initial up-front costs associated with this agreement shall be disbursed from budget line A7321.405 - Contracted Outside Services, with reimbursement to be made upon grant approval and submission of eligible expenses; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that participation in this program advances educational enrichment, workforce development, and youth engagement initiatives within the City of Mount Vernon;
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), for the provision of a youth Drone and Aviation STEM Program, for a period of six (6) to eight (8) weeks, in substantially the form presented to the City Council and on file with the City Clerk.
Section 2. Compensation. Compensation under said agreement shall not exceed the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), subject to the terms and conditions of the Project RISE grant.
Section 3. Funding Source. 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 and procedures.
Section 4. No Matching Funds Required. This ordinance acknowledges that the Project RISE grant is reimbursable in nature and does not require the use of City matching funds.
Section 5. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.