Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council
Regular Meeting of June 22, 2021
Title
A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE HERMOSA BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT ITS EQUITY & INCLUSION GOALS
(Deputy City Manager Angela Crespi)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council authorize a letter to the Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCSD) in support of efforts to implement its Equity and Inclusion goal and authorize the Mayor to sign it on behalf of the City.
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Executive Summary:
The Hermosa Beach Board of Education established goals for the Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCDS) for 2021-2022, which included the goal of Equity and Inclusion (Attachment 1). In order to address the goal, the HBCSD Board approved an Equity Resolution approving the formation of the Equity Task Force (Attachment 2).
The Board has adopted the Equity Task Force recommendations (Attachment 3) and is now in the implementation phase. City staff seek Council authorization to submit a letter of support of the HBCSD efforts to implement its Equity and Inclusion goals on behalf of the City of Hermosa Beach (Attachment 4).
Background:
The Hermosa Beach Board of Education established three main goals for the Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCDS) for the 2021-2022 school year including: Equity and Inclusion; Culture of Excellence; and Financial Stewardship. On September 23, 2020, the HBCSD Board of Education approved an Equity Resolution identifying priority areas and approving formation of an Equity Task Force.
Over the course of the past year, the Equity Task Force has worked to create a comprehensive plan and full Equity Agenda. On June 9, 2021, the Board of Education adopted the Equity Task Force recommendations to fulfill HBCSD’s Equity & Inclusion goal for 2021-2022.
At its regular meeting on June 8, 2021, City Council approved placing consideration of a letter of support for the HBCDS efforts to implement its Equity and Inclusion Goals on the next regular meeting agenda.
Past Council Actions
Discussion:
The City of Hermosa Beach takes pride in efforts to promote equity and inclusion throughout the community, including those initiated by community partners such as the Hermosa Beach School District. The Hermosa Beach Board of Education established goals for the Hermosa Beach City School District (HBCDS) for 2021-2022, which included the goal of Equity and Inclusion.
On September 23, 2020, the HBCSD Board of Education approved an Equity Resolution identifying priority areas and approving formation of an Equity Task Force. The Equity Task Force has now completed its work to create a comprehensive plan and full Equity Agenda. On June 9, 2021, the Board of Education adopted the Equity Task Force recommendations and the HBCSD is currently in the implantation phase of the plan.
Developing twenty-first century leaders, critical thinkers, thoughtful listeners, effective collaborators, global citizens, and compassionate contributors to the Hermosa Beach community is a goal that is shared by the City of Hermosa Beach and the HBCSD. Approval of the letter of support to HBCSD would not only express City Council support for its efforts to implement the Equity and Inclusion goals, but would also increase visibility and awareness of its efforts.
General Plan Consistency:
This report and associated recommendation have been evaluated for their consistency with the City’s General Plan. Relevant Policies are listed below:
Governance Element
Goal 4. A leader and partner in the region.
Policies:
• 4.1 Regional Governance. Play an active role in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, the Southern California Association of Governments and other regional agencies to protect and promote the interest of the City.
• 4.3 Collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions. Maintain strong collaborative relationships with adjacent jurisdictions and work together on projects of mutual interest and concern.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this recommendation.
Attachments:
1. HBCSD Goals 2021-2022
2. HBCSD Equity Resolution
3. HBCSD Equity Task Force Recommendations
4. Draft Letter of Support
Respectfully Submitted by: Angela Crespi, Deputy City Manager
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager