ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Approve a JOINT RESOLUTION Supporting and Committing to Participate in the PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY Program.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Peoria Pathways to Prosperity (PP2P) Initiative seeks to ensure that many more youth complete high school and more high school graduates are college and career ready. Before the City of Peoria can reach its community and economic development goals, it needs high school graduates to place into college-level courses and/or attain a postsecondary credential that is recognized by local employers. To maintain regional and global competitiveness, businesses need the Peoria talent pipeline to supply employers with talented and credentialed individuals.
To respond to the demands from the City, area businesses, and higher education, the Peoria Public School system requires communities who value education. The community includes parents and guardians who are accountable for getting their children to school every day and prepared for the day's lessons; transportation systems which deliver children to and from school and secure systems that maintain their safety throughout the day; and employers who are ready to provide work-based learning and on-the-job training experiences to teachers and students. The teachers implementing improvements in their day require the support of the District 150 administration, business partners, and higher education colleagues. Students attending Peoria Public Schools need to understand that the coursework they take will prepare them to achieve their personal career goals either immediately upon high school graduation or after completing a postsecondary program of study.
The attached Joint Resolution commits the following parties to develop a six-year career pathways program for students from high school through community college and into the workforce:
· Peoria Public School District 150
· City of Peoria
· Peoria Federation of Teachers, Local 780
· Illinois Central College
· Illinois Student Assistance Commission
· Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
· CEO Council
· Central Illinois Workforce Alliance
· Jobs for the Future
The Joint Resolution outlines the expectations of each group. The City of Peoria will:
· Serve as the convener of ongoing PP2P Stakeholder meetings to review and approve appropriate strategic plans, program development projects, partnership enhancement activities, and program implementation strategies for Peoria Pathways to Prosperity.
· Advise the PP2P action team of specific City initiatives that may impact the development of PP2P work plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact. A better prepared workforce is an essential part of the community's economic growth.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not applicable. The Peoria Public Schools Board of Directors approved this joint resolution at its May 27, 2014 meeting.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City of Peoria will participate in Pathways to Prosperity as outlined.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City will not participate in the program.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Improve District 150.
2. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office