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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Adrienne M. Holloway, Ph.D., Chief Innovation Officer
DATE: November 28, 2017
SUBJECT:
Requesting Approval of a Resolution Establishing the City of Aurora Education Commission.
PURPOSE:
To engage in constructive dialogue with all member academic institution representatives on how to best prepare our residents for education and workforce success. The Education Commission will assume the responsibility of identifying education and workforce development programs and initiatives that will benefit our Aurora area residents and that will also introduce opportunities for partners to realize operational cost savings.
BACKGROUND:
An effective education system facilitates the development of a diverse and competent workforce that contributes greatly to a local area. This is no different for the city of Aurora. We are proud of the accomplishments, made independently, by our education stakeholders. Yet, we know that we can experience a greater and longstanding impact if and when our stakeholders work collaboratively and in alignment with an agreed upon strategic approach. The Education Commission will serve as a forum where education providers that serve the city of Aurora discuss the development of innovative partnerships that will yield compelling education and workforce outcomes for our city.
DISCUSSION:
Education stakeholders, citizen groups and interested parties have expressed interest in and support of the formation of a City of Aurora Education Commission. The Education Commission will consist of twenty-two (22) members. In order to ensure that the Education Commission is comprised of a broad representation of local education stakeholders, membership slots are dedicated as follows:
Superintendent or designee from each of the following six (6) school districts that serve Aurora: East Aurora School District; West Aurora School District; Indian Prairie School District; Batavia School District; Kaneland School District and Oswego School District.
Superintendent or designee from five (5) private schools located within Aurora.
President or designee from four (4) institutions of Higher Education.
Members that represent two (2) different nonprofit early childhood education programs.
Other members of the Education Commission include:
Two (2) members representing local business/corporations
One (1) City of Aurora Alderman
Two (2) at-large members
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The impact on the city will be minimal and will be outweighed by the positive benefits to be achieved by the establishment of the Aurora Education Commission.
Some staff time from the Innovation and Core Services Department will be required to assist the Education Commission with navigating city resources such as maintaining compliance with the Open Meetings Act, use of meeting space and in completing planning and communication tasks.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution establishing the Aurora Education Commission.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Lofchie
Alderman Franco, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Establishing the City of Aurora Education Commission.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, An effective education system facilitates the development of a diverse and competent workforce that contributes greatly to a local area, and
WHEREAS, the Education Commission will assume responsibility in identifying opportunities for the City and our academic institutions to work collaboratively in identifying and recommending the inclusion of effective, efficient and innovative approaches within our area’s education systems, and
WHEREAS, the Education Commission will be comprised of varied Aurora serving educational and workforce development representatives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
1) That the City of Aurora Education Commission shall be comprised of twenty (20) persons appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council as adopted by city resolution. Commission members shall serve a two-year term. Terms of office of Commission members shall be staggered as evenly as possible. The Chief Innovation Officer or her designee shall be an ex-officio member on the City of Aurora Education Commission.
2) That the Mayor shall appoint the Chair of the City of Aurora Education Commission and the City of Aurora Education Commission members shall elect members to the positions of Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer in accordance with the By-laws.
3) That City of Aurora Education Commission shall adopt By-laws which shall be approved by the City Council.