City Council Adds Public Education to General Plan

This week the Pasadena City Council discussed more about updating Pasadena’s General Plan and unanimously voted to add another guiding principle: public education.

The City Council approved the following language Monday: "Pasadena is committed to public education and a diverse educational system responsive to the broad needs of the community,” the City of Pasadena announced.  

The City Council vote came after a three-year, grassroots Invest in PUSD Kids campaign that suggested the addition of an Eighth Guiding Principle:

“A vibrant public education system is valued and supported as the shared responsibility of our community.”

“Putting these words into the General Plan is important,” said IIPK President Steve Cole in a statement following the City Council vote, “but equally important is translating those words into policies, resources, and actions that improve the lives of Pasadena kids and families, including families who don’t have kids in public schools.  The whole community benefits when we have a first-rate public education system.”

See more on the Invest in PUSD Kids website here.

The other seven guiding principles of Pasadena’s General Plan are:

1. Growth will be targeted to serve community needs and enhance the quality of life.
2. Change will be harmonized to preserve Pasadena's historic character and environment.
3. Economic vitality will be promoted to provide jobs, services, revenues and opportunities.
4. Pasadena will be promoted as a healthy family community.
5. Pasadena will be a city where people can circulate without cars.
6. Pasadena will be promoted as a cultural, scientific, corporate, entertainment and education center for the region.
7. Community participation must be a permanent part of achieving a greater city.

What do you think of public education becoming the eighth guiding principle of Pasadena's updated General Plan? Share your thoughts below.