Laserfiche WebLink
<br />City of University CitySecond Century Commission <br /> <br /> <br />Preamble <br /> <br />During its first century, University City has become the most economically, <br />racially, and ethnically diverse municipality in the St. Louis region. Through <br />quality city services, readily available parks and recreation, and sustainable <br />economic growth, the City provides a high quality of life for all residents. It <br />maintains a safe environment for individuals and families of all ages and <br />configurations, without regard to race, religion, or sexual orientation. As we <br />move into our second century, the City should build upon these principles of <br />openness, security, and sustainable development, preserving that which fosters <br />them and changing that which prevents their full realization. <br /> <br />Vision One: University City Needs a Quality Public School System Serving <br />All Resident Needs <br /> <br />Background. <br />The Commission and the residents it spoke with agree that local <br />schooling is the community’s single most important issue. Although there are <br />differences of opinion about how well the University City public schools are <br />performing currently, there is consensus that the quality must be improved. <br /> <br />Under Missouri law, municipalities have no legal authority to govern public <br />schools. But the City has and continues to devote considerable resources <br />responding to the School District’s requests for assistance. <br /> <br />Recommendations. <br />The City should transform this current relationship from <br />one of supplier to one of partner by developing a closer and more enduring <br />partnership with the University City School District. The City should continue to <br />devote services on issues like truancy and safety. Beyond this, the City should <br />foster greater participation in public school governance, insuring that the pursuit <br />of educational quality remain uppermost on the community’s agenda. This <br />includes encouraging citizen involvement by attending school board meetings, <br />parent meetings, and visiting schools. The City should call attention to the <br />School District’s accomplishments and shortcomings, praising the former and <br />demanding action on the latter. The City must realize even more than it has in <br />the past that it cannot achieve its overall vision without first rate public schools. <br />The City must increase its role as a public education stakeholder. <br /> <br />Vision Two: University City Housing: Distinctive, Varied, Affordable <br /> <br />Background. <br />The City’s central location and varied rental and owner-occupied <br />housing stock has been a key in its achieving the diversity it now has. The City <br />has aggressively implemented strict residential code standards to prevent <br />deterioration and maintain housing quality. The City benefits from many <br />architecturally distinctive and historically significant neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> <br />June 11, 2007 - 4 - <br /> <br /> <br />