City Councils and Education

Recently, the Hercules City Council Education Subcommittee members John Delgado and Dan Romero visited some Hercules elementary schools, including a Science Night event.  In their report, Councilman Romero suggested that next year, Science Night winners present their experiments at the City Council meeting.  This is a wonderful suggestion for the reason that it sends a message to our kids that the community values their hard work and their education.  

Councilman Romero added that he was told by some parents that they were disappointed that School Site Councils were not always meeting regularly or following their bylaws.  Councilman Romero suggested asking WCCUSD trustee Madeline Kronenberg  to help these schools receive additional training from District Community Engagement Director, Marin Trujillo.  The importance of council functionality is something Councilman Romero fully understands and appreciates.

At some point during this same Hercules City Council meeting, the topic of a joint City Council WCCUSD Board meeting was discussed.  Previously, WCCUSD Board President Charles Ramsey had visited the Hercules City Council, and suggested that a joint meeting be held.  Why not?  Great idea, right?  The problem with this suggestion is that it came at a time when some of the Hercules schools were experiencing a certain degree of strife.  Strife happens at every school at some point in that school’s history.  Teacher contract strife.  Discipline and suspension policy strife.  New principal strife.  School closure strife.   If you are looking for strife, check out your local schools.  

A City Council School Board joint meeting can quickly escalate into a venue for school strife, resulting in parents asking their Council members to jump into the strife.  A parent might scream at their elected City leaders “Are you just going to sit there?!  Do something!”  The City Council has no jurisdiction with these matters.  Anything they can do would only be political or symbolic.  Under the right circumstances, a joint meeting can be beneficial.  Under the wrong circumstances, a joint meeting can become a meeting of strife. 

City Councils inviting our children to present their science projects at a City Council meeting is very positive and beneficial.  You can bet that when these excited children make their appearance, there will be no strife.