CALAVERAS HIGH STUDENTS TO TAKE ON GENERAL PLAN

Students from the Calaveras High School Earth Club briefly gathered on a picnic bench at Big Trees State Park to talk with CAP’s Tom Infusino about the County’s plans for the next generations of Calaveras families. The students, whom had been on the field trip walk through Big Trees with Tom and his discussion about planning and the County’s General Plan Update process, seemed eager to know more and how to have a say about their future.

Their interests about planning varied, as much as the general public does. One student had a particular concern about “economic development” and employment for future generations.

All were concerned about their own future in Calaveras, worried that there would not be housing and jobs for them after graduation from high school. The message they hear often is that if you are not out of Calaveras by age 18, you will never get out.

For students in the Earth Club, college is more likely for them than most high school graduates at Calaveras High. Many other students fear that there are few options for employment and a secure future. If you are not fortunate to be in line for the family business, or college, the military is the likely option for many.

Tom enthusiastically agreed to help the Earth Club students to further their knowledge and understanding in planning. Working with the Earth Club advisor, Stephanie Bohler, a work plan and a schedule for monthly meetings was developed for the Earth Club’s General Plan Working Group.

Tom has proposed an eight-point work plan, starting with students identifying topics that should be covered in a good General Plan for Calaveras County.  If they want help in explaining the topics, Tom will meet with the group to do that during a study hall.  If a student would prefer to address many topics, but in the context of their home town, Tom will suggest that there are a number of areas that have proposed community plans e.g. San Andreas, Valley Springs, Burson/Wallace, etc.

The work plan includes having the students writing a proposal that includes policies and programs the student is advocating, and preparing a PowerPoint that they can use to accompany their 5-minute presentation on their subject.

Tom has suggested that the students can each give a dry run of their PowerPoint presentations to the Calaveras Planning Coalition (CPC) during a “Brown Bag” presentation.   CPC usually do these “Brown Bag” presentations for an hour at lunch before the regular meeting on the first Monday of the month.

Next, Tom is proposing that students meet with General Plan Coordinator Brenda Gillarde and Planning Director Rebecca Willis. The students can each give their PowerPoint presentation to these Planning Department officials, and can answer questions.

This is to be followed by meetings with Planning Commissioner Michelle Plotnick, and with a representative from the County Board of Supervisors. The students can give their PowerPoint presentation to each, and answer their questions.

The work plan concludes with the students making their presentations before the Planning Commission.

Tom thinks it would be good for the students to be prepared to respond to subsequent opportunities to participate in the General Plan Update.  If not, perhaps the CPC could continue to advocate for their proposals.

There will be nothing artificial about this advocacy effort.  Tom believes that “the students need to be peddling real proposals for reform. If they are successful, they will get their proposals into the General Plan Update, and improve the lives of people in Calaveras County for decades to come.”

The Calaveras High Earth Club General Plan Working Group is scheduled to meet after fall break on October 25th.