Priority 1: Building an even stronger bond between the City and the school district

How do we improve on perfection? The City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Unified School District enjoy a relationship that is second to none in mutual respect and mutual support. Facilities and fields are shared seamlessly. Staff from each organization work together to provide programs and develop solutions when problems arise. The District/City Liaison Committee, which includes staff from the highest levels on each side, provides a proven venue for exploring new ideas and addressing issues.

Two examples of what this relationship has produced are inspiring. The first is the YAC (Youth Activity Center), built and run by the City on District property (Cabrillo Middle School). The YAC also includes a Teen Center for after school and weekend drop-in use, and the City’s Skate Board Park. The school uses the facility during school hours. After school the YAC provides supervised activities and homework support for students from across the district.

The second example is the Mission City Centre for the Performing Arts, a magnificent theater built on the Wilcox High School campus with District and City funds. Use of the center is shared by students and staff from Wilcox and other schools and children and adult organizations from across the City.

So how do you improve on perfection? Well, we don’t sit on our laurels. We continue to seek and address needs. In 1996 the need for extended day child care among District families exceeded the District’s capacity. Through a Community Development Block Grant, the City provided portable classrooms for three elementary schools and three Latchkey programs were created. The City also budgets an amount annually to support the Latchkey programs. In recent years the need for day care and especially pre-school programs has skyrocketed. The District’s Director of Family-Child Education Services has stated that the District is capable of meeting only about one-fourth to one third of the need. It may be time for the District to turn to the City once again for support, especially facility support, to help meet this need.

A second area where the District may need City support is in after-school activities for the middle schools. Currently the YAC provides splendidly for students in the Cabrillo Middle School area. Peterson Middle School, which is in Sunnyvale, receives some help in this area from the City of Sunnyvale. The City as yet does not provide any after school programs for middle school students at Buchser and the yet-to-open Callejon School. As Councilmember, I will bring these discussions, as well as others that may affect Santa Clara students and families, to the table.

It will be no stretch at all for me to champion worthwhile causes that affect children, youth, and families in our City. Rather, it will be my pleasure.