City Government

U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan to Boost School Reform in Sacramento Thursday

2009-09-02T05:35:00Z

At one time, California was at the forefront of education reform and topped the nation in student academic performance. This is no longer the case; the world’s seventh largest economy now brings up the rear in both categories.

To boost student achievement in California – and across the nation -- President Barack Obama is proposing legislation that will grant states $4.35 billion dollars. That’s the largest amount of federal discretionary education stimulus in the history of our nation.

Some 46 of the 50 states are eligible to receive funding based on rigorous standards, strong data systems linking student and teacher performance, performance and merit pay, and intervention for failing schools. However, California is one of the states that is not, largely because state law is blocking the education reform that’s required to be eligible for these grants.

I believe that must change. And to that end, at my invitation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be in Sacramento on Thursday to bring his message of education reform to our city and to our state’s leadership.

He’ll start his day in the Capitol. I have arranged for him to meet with Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Speaker Karen Bass, the Democratic and Republican Caucuses.

Later that afternoon, Secretary Duncan will meet with Sacramento area superintendents of instruction and the business community. The dialogue will emphasize that education reform takes a concerted effort; it’s everyone’s responsibility.

While in Sacramento, he’ll also be at a rally at the Guild Theatre in Oak Park with Sacramento students and Gov. Schwarzenegger. And later that evening, he’ll be hosting a Town Hall Meeting to discuss education with Sacramento citizens. I’m delighted to be hosting the Secretary, and giving Sacramento citizens the opportunity to hear first hand about this exciting new effort to improve our schools.

I’ve invited the Secretary here because I believe it’s time we advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure monumental funding for our state’s education system.

We must raise the bar by instituting benchmarks and rigor that will make our standards competitive not only with neighboring states, but the surrounding countries across the globe whose students compete with ours in college and professionally.

We must measure student achievement not in terms of letter grades, but as it correlates with teacher performance and best practices.

We must reward the results-oriented teachers and school leaders whose students are meeting and exceeding rigorous standards, and replace the instructors who are not producing with high-performing individuals.

Lastly, California must reclaim its reputation as an innovator in education to take bold, creative steps to reinvent failing schools, replace leadership and reform culture.

Please join me at our Town Hall. Space is limited, so please preregister at:

www.cityofsacramento.org/mayor/

Should We Close Sac's Parks? Open Up K St. to Cars?

2009-05-29T23:57:36Z

Should we close Sacramento's parks or slash services to them? How about opening up K Street to cars?

Those are the two latest questions I'm asking for your input in my online forums, being run in cooperation with Peak Democracy.

These forums are designed to foster civil discussion about issues facing me and the Council. But instead of attending a city council meeting, you can share your perspectives from your home or office without heading down to City Hall. And unlike newspaper (and this site's) comment sections, I'll read every comment and keep you updated on the issue as it progresses.

This week I'm asking two questions, one on parks and another on K Street. I'd welcome your views.

Question one: Sacramento is facing a record budget deficit. As part of the city manager's plan, the city's parks will be severely effected. Under the plan, weekly mowing will be cut back to once every two to three weeks; park trash cans will be emptied once or twice a week instead of daily; and all park restrooms will be closed except for special events. Rescue Sacramento Parks is a grassroots organization that has formed to fight these cuts. Should the I vote to support the City Manager's position on park cutbacks? If not, what other services do you suggest reducing that will result in similar budget savings? Share your views at: www.peakdemocracy.com/339

Question two: K Street Mall has been a pedestrian walkway and light rail route for many years. There are now calls to re-open it to traffic. What do you think? Should cars be allowed on the street in an effort to revitalize the area? Share your views at: http://www.capradio.org/news/specials/?opentownhall

Thank you for participating!

Sacramento Celebrates "Bike to Work Day," Offers Bike Racks to Businesses

2009-05-21T06:40:08Z

This Thursday morning, I'll be hopping on my bike and heading to work at City Hall to kick off "Bike to Work Day." And the City of Sacramento will be out in force at the Capitol BikeFest at the West Steps of the Capitol from 11 to 1 p.m. too.

To promote bike commuting, the city is offering bike racks to local businesses. The bike racks will be installed in the City right-of-way and become City property, owned and maintained by the Department of Transportation.

Funds for the racks ares coming from the Measure A (half-cent sales tax) Bikeway Fund and from downtown Transportation System Management funds that are earmarked for projects that decrease automotive trips.

Later in the year, the city will launch the second phase of its program to promote bike commuting. The Transportation department will be investing $10,000 from Measure A to leverage $40,000 in grants from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District bike parking rebate program, which will mean $50,000 for the program. Other business organizations are being approached to participate in cost-sharing as well.

Businesses interested in seeing if they qualify for a free bike rack can call my office, or visit the City’s webpage at www.sacpark.org.

Note: Along with other City participants, DOT’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator Ed Cox will ride his high wheel bicycle in a bicycle ride Thursday morning from the Delta to the Capitol. The ride has been organized by Assemblymember Tom Torlakson’s office. Bicyclists expect to be riding over the Tower Bridge around 8:30 a.m.. Joining the riders is Martin Krieg, who recently set off on a cross-country trip pedaling a rare backwards HiWheel bicycle. Read more about Martin at http://2009hibustour.blogspot.com/.

Introducing My New Web "Town Hall"

2009-05-05T20:54:30Z

Today I launched a new way for Sacramento citizens to weigh in on issues facing our city, and you don't even have to leave your keyboard to do it .

Sacramento will be one of the first cities in the nation to use "Open Town Hall," an online public comment process that enables residents to voice opinions on matters before the City Council. It is operated by Peak Democracy, a non-partisan company whose mission is to broaden participation in democracy, and to build public trust in government.

Technology is changing the way that citizens participate in democracy. I'm pioneering this new tool to put Sacramento on the cutting edge of citizen involvement and transparency in government. For the first time, citizens can provide public input on policy decisions facing our community via the web.

I will incorporate input from Open Town Hall along with all other channels for participation into his decisions. Participants can also receive email updates to learn what I've decided, and why I decided it.

There is no need to trudge down to City Council meetings. Now you can read what others are saying, and help shape public policy all from the convenience of your own computer on your own schedule. It's never been easier.

Here's what our partners at Peak Democracy had to say about it.

"City Council meetings can be boring, contentious or both" according to Peak Democracy CEO and co-founder Robert Vogel, "and those late night meetings tend to be dominated by folks with extreme views. We wanted to give the moderate majority a safer, more convenient way to participate."

Started 18 months ago, Peak Democracy now runs civil on-line forums for elected officials and local governments in Palo Alto, Berkeley and Eureka, as well as cities in four other states.

I believe this is a win-win for citizens and local government. This new model for civic engagement gives our community responsible citizen involvement in government, and it gives you a new way to participate.

My first question asks citizens their view on the city budget. To share your view, go to www.peakdemocracy.com/311.

Your Two Cents Matters

2009-03-19T02:59:26Z

On Thursday, I'll be holding my third Town Hall meeting since being elected Mayor a little over 100 days ago. These sessions are designed to let you weigh in directly on the issues facing our city -- whether it's the city budget, the economy, homelessness, or a problem in your neighborhood.

The first two Town Halls each attracted more than 300 neighbors -- an enthusiastic turnout. And while I do some talking, I'm mainly there to listen to you. Yes, your opinion really does matter.

So join me:

Thursday, March 19th
7 - 8 p.m.
Msgr. Kavanagh Community Center (formerly St. Rose Social Hall)
5905 Franklin Blvd.

I will be joined by Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond, who represents District 5.