Education

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Pasadena City College Board of Trustees District Three Report

As we enter the New Year, several economists are reporting signs of growth in the economy and predicting a brighter future. I am very thankful because last year the education system suffered tremendously. Reduced funding to our schools translated into teacher layoffs, more students per classroom and reduced enrichment programs for our children. Pasadena City College was no exception. Our revenues from Sacramento were reduced by millions of dollars. Payment deferrals were significantly increased forcing us to explore creative ways to meet our financial obligations. I am happy to report that despite budgetary constraints, PCC has managed to weather the storm without laying off any key staff, or furlough faculty unlike other community colleges. We continue to fulfill our primary goal of increasing student accessibility and success.

The following highlights a few of the accomplishments in 2011 that focus on PCC's commitment to our students as well as to the communities we serve:

First, the Board conducted meetings in each trustee's district to increase visibility in the community and to encourage participation from parents and community members. The meetings also introduced the community to a number of programs available to students to help them achieve their educational goals. Our initial and subsequent meetings held at Jackie Robinson were well attended.

California African American Educators To Convene

(Sacramento, CA) "Sounding the Alarm: Education Is A Civil Right," is the urgent call around which the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) will hold their annual conference, February 22 through 24 at Sacramento's Hilton Arden West Hotel.

This year's assembly, in collaboration with the California Department of Education (CDE), California Coalition of Black School Board Members (CCBSBM) and the California Legislative Black Caucus, will feature panel discussions with noted educators, elected officials, and business and community leaders from throughout California. Concurrent workshops, designed to raise awareness of issues impacting African American educators, administrators and students will also be held..

"There is an urgent need to address the inequities faced by African American, K-12 students in public schools," said Pamela Short-Powell, Ed.D., CAAASA President "As educators and responsible community members, we must develop innovative strategies to improve academic achievement and student performance."

"Our sessions will provide stakeholders with opportunities to 1) assess strengths and weaknesses, 2) share "best practices" and proven models for educating African American students, 3) engage and enlist the support of policy-makers; and 4) develop strategies for future success," said Dwight Bonds, Executive Director, CAAASA.