Educating Our Children

By Tim Wendler

Our children's education is all of our responsibility. Our public schools need our support to deliver the quality education our children need for success in today's world. Our City needs to foster a partnership with our school district to implement the reforms that we know are needed.

• After School Programs: Our City needs to take a much greater role in funding after school programs just as many communities do throughout the state. These programs build upon the learning of the regular school day while providing a positive alternative to gangs.
• Schools where the Children Are: Our City can support land purchase and development of new schools in the Northwest where so many of the children are and so few of the schools are located.
• City Staff Support: Our City can explore other options in consultation with the school district. Examples include offering down-payment loans for Pasadena teachers who choose to live in our community, the City police taking responsibility for school safety, and greater enforcement of truancy laws.