The sole private child care provider being considered to operate Menlo Park’s Burgess child care programs has withdrawn her bid to do so, making it likely that the city will continue to run the programs.
Vineeta Bhanderi, administrator and president of Pacifica-based Building Kidz, said she withdrew due to public opposition to privatizing the city’s programs.
A divided City Council last spring voted to explore privatizing the programs, which are operated out of the newly remodeled Menlo Children’s Center. Although a request for proposals was sent out to 29 potential providers, Ms. Bhanderi was the only private operator to submit a serious bid. The only other serious bid was from the city staff members who operate the existing programs.
Ms. Bhanderi notified the city of her decision in an August 30 e-mail to Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour.
“I like to take challenges in life, but I believe I am not prepared or have the means to deal with major transition issues with parents, staff and the community, specially when all three entities seem totally against it,” Ms. Bhanderi wrote.
Ms. Bhanderi could not be reached for comment before the Almanac’s deadline, on Friday, September 1.
“We’re very happy,” said Adela Velasquez, program coordinator for the Burgess programs, of staff’s reaction to the news. “We hope the city keeps the programs.”
“I’m cautiously happy,” said parent Lara Hoyem. “I’m still left with a little uncertainty (about) what the council will do next.”
Representatives from city staff and Building Kidz were scheduled to be interviewed by the Child Care RFP Committee — a task force of parents, child care specialists and appointed officials — on September 6.
The committee was expected to then recommend one or the other to the council, which was scheduled to make a final decision October 3.
Unless a council member decides to reopen the privatization discussion, the programs will remain operated by city staff, said Ms. Seymour.
The push to privatize the Burgess programs was led by council members Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc, who said the programs are too costly to the city. Mayor Nicholas Jellins supported the effort, which was green-lighted on a 3-2 vote.
Ms. Duboc said Ms. Bhanderi’s withdrawal is “disappointing.” She added that she would still like city staff to study how to cut the costs of the child care programs, but had no immediate plans to re-ignite the privatization debate.
Opposition to privatization
Parents have forcefully defended the existing programs and teachers, and argued that there’s not enough financial benefit to privatize the programs.Their concerns were supported at the child care committee’s August 23 meeting, when eight of nine committee members ranked the city’s proposal the top bid.
Committee members said the cost savings associated with privatization — estimated at $73,000 by city staff — isn’t enough to privatize the programs.
In April, city staff pegged potential savings at $444,000, but didn’t break down those costs for a closer analysis.
Committee members and parents also expressed concerns with the Building Kidz proposal, which called for replacing about 40 percent of the current staff and putting an academic emphasis on the current “play-based” curriculum.
Adding to parents’ concerns, representatives from the Service Employees International Union Local 715, the union that represents city employees who operate the existing programs, revealed that Building Kidz has been cited for eight violations at its two child care sites over the last two years.
The Almanac confirmed the violations with the Community Care Licensing Division office, the regional office of the state Department of Social Services.
‘Sinister pattern’
Ms. Bhanderi’s withdrawal came just one day after the council voted 3-2, at its August 29 meeting, to continue with the plan to interview potential providers.Council members Winkler, Duboc and Jellins voted to forge ahead; council members Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen said the city should end the process and continue the city operation of the programs.
“[Ms. Winkler and Ms. Duboc] refused to listen to the parents,” said Mr. Cohen after the meeting.
Ms. Duboc said there is a “sinister pattern” in Menlo Park of members of the community criticizing companies looking to establish private/public relationships in Menlo Park.
Ms. Bhanderi received four anonymous letters discouraging her bid, Ms. Seymour said.
Chez TJ owner wants to call it quits but can’t because of financial worriesOctober 31, 2023 11:46 am