Tag Archives: public-education

Resolution In Support of State Funding for Adult School Classes for Older Adults

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the California Masterplan for Aging, which seeks to establish “A California for all ages” by 2030, has as one of its goals Inclusion and Equity, not Isolation, for California’s seniors; and

WHEREAS the California Democratic Party Platform for 2022 includes support for Adult Education and Community College programs for life-long learning; and

WHEREAS education programs for older adults are a low-cost, effective way to combat isolation and promote healthy aging that can reduce the likelihood of participants contracting dementia by 18% (American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 155, No.12, June 15, 2002) and can save the state money by improving healthy life expectancy; and

WHEREAS California had, for decades, a robust network of free education opportunities for Older Adults offered through the state’s adult schools and community colleges which was funded by the state, but was completely defunded in adult schools in 2013 and has also been much reduced in the community colleges; and

WHEREAS this network of education opportunities for Older Adults still exists in vestigial form in some community colleges and adult schools and could be brought back in order to fulfill the goals of the Master Plan on Aging.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the State of California needs state-funded educational opportunities for Older Adults in order to fulfill the goals of the California Master Plan on Aging; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for state funding educational opportunities for older adults through the state’s adult schools and community colleges; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will review and consider proposed legislation that restores state funding for adult school and community college educational programs for Older Adults.

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution in Support of West Contra Costa Adult Education Teachers

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system provide instruction in High School Diploma, GED and English as a Second Language, classes for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, as well as low cost vocational training and a rich variety of low-fee classes responsive to the changing interests and needs of West County residents, all of which contributes to the economic vitality, physical and emotional health, cultural richness, technological aptitude and academic success of West County’s diverse communities; and

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United, a union representing adult school teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system, was recognized by the Public Employee Relations Board and West Contra Costa Unified School District in 2017; and 

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United is still bargaining its first contract with West Contra Costa Unified School District, and negotiations in 2022 have ground almost to a halt.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the work of West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers is a crucial resource for West Contra Costa County which greatly enriches the economic and cultural life of the area; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for adult educators; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County urges the West Contra Costa Unified School District to conclude negotiations for the first contract for West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers with all possible speed.  The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will make this request in a letter to the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. 

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution Regarding Opposition to Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) School Board Recall

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the July 15, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, each MDUSD School Board Trustee has been duly elected in a proper election; each MDUSD School Board Trustee has faithfully performed the duties of their positions and made decisions and voted in the best interests of students over their term; and  

WHEREAS, the current proposed recall is motivated by anger and is destructive to the body politic; and 

WHEREAS, if the recall is required, the special election process will require the district to spend up to $1.9 Million of district funds on ballots and processing fees; and this frivolous recall will siphon hundreds of thousands from student programs; and this unnecessary recall will absorb management and board attention and effort, which would be better used ensuring the safe, secure and efficient return to in-person learning district wide;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby states our firm opposition to the current efforts to recall the MDUSD School Board Trustees.

Submitted by Colleen Awad, Associate Member, District Director, District 4