Education
Issues
Support for education of children and adults is a cornerstone of our economic and social well-being. Democracy cannot function without a well-informed citizenry of critical thinkers. Social elements such as housing, child care, transportation routes, and economic development support education. Workforce housing supports the inclusion of young families in our communities. Quality, accessible and affordable childcare and youth centers support formal education efforts, our families, and community economies Parent and community involvement is influenced by how we design our communities and commuting distances. The lack of economic development and renewal contributes to a loss of social capital and well-being.
Goals
- Calaveras County should provide excellent educational opportunities for children and adults.
- District 2 elementary schools should remain open for preschool to 6th grade education and to meet the needs of the families and communities.
Actions
To foster support for education, the county should:
- Support Senate Bill 1139 which would save Rail Road Flat School and ensure it receives state funds.
- Continue its other efforts to ensure adequate funding for rural schools.
- Encourage greater community dialogue about educational priorities and ways to respond to state and federal bureaucracies.
- Facilitate participation of seniors, business professionals, county leaders, authors, musicians, artists, skilled trade workers and others in the educational and mentoring process.
- Participate in government classes. Include interested students in government processes. Let students observe democracy in action.
- Ensure that children who are not college bound have adequate educational resources and career training alternatives.
- Encourage the broad use of school campuses for community organizations, public meetings and community services.
- Keep rural schools open in Mokelumne Hill, West Point and Rail Road Flat by encouraging development of workforce housing near them.
- Encourage the development of a continuum of in-county education that includes vocational, technical, adult and college opportunities. (From Our Children Our Calaveras Master Plan).
- Support efforts to ensure that parents and families have literacy, tutoring and other educational support necessary to develop, model and transfer life skills to children and youth. (From Our Children Our Calaveras Master Plan).