AGENDA ITEM #18
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
July 12, 2022
Continued Adjourned Meeting (from July 6, 2022)
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize the Mayor to send a letter in support of the services provided by the FairfaxSan Anselmo Children’s Center _______________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Mayor to send a letter in support of the services provided by the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center (FSACC).
BACKGROUND
Council Members have requested a letter from the Town to the Ross Valley School District (RVSD) in support of finding a mutual resolution to concerns regarding the FSACC’s leased location at Deer Park.
DISCUSSION
The attached letter is offered as a draft. The RVSD and the FSACC continue to meet to resolve concerns regarding the FSACC’s lease of RVSD property. The Town of Fairfax has no jurisdiction over the parties and their lease, however, the FSACC and RVSD provide important services to Fairfax’s children and parents.
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Draft letter
DRAFT
July 6, 2022
Marci Trahan, Superintendent
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive
San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
RE: Support for a mutual resolution for keeping Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center local Dear Superintendent Trahan:
I am writing on behalf of the Fairfax Town Council in support of finding a mutually resolution between the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center (FSACC) and the Ross Valley School District for keeping the FSACC located in the Ross Valley. The FSACC takes part in the Fairfax Festival each year. Their floats celebrate culture and community, and they serve excellent homemade food in Peri Park. The FSACC provides transportation to and from Ross Valley elementary schools, which enables children to go to school and stay connected to friends and families, adding diversity and cultural enrichment to the community. The Fairfax community is included in FSACC holiday celebrations and fundraisers, and the FSACC has been embraced by Fairfax residents.
We all have a role to play in finding a way within our scope of authority to partner and insure that the FSACC can thrive in our community. We support the RVSD in exploring all possible options and remain available to engage (within our scope of authority). FSACC is important to Fairfax because it is the only state-funded childcare center in the area and serves over 100 children from local low-income families. The Town of Fairfax recognizes the FSACC’s vital importance to our community from an equity standpoint, making it possible for low-income families to live and/or work here who otherwise could not.
The FSACC has provided subsidized childcare to low-income Ross Valley residents for 50 years. The program provides infant care, preschool, and afterschool care and education. The program also provides support to parents and families by offering health screenings, meals and snacks, parent education, crisis counseling, family activities, a Get-Well-Room to care for mildly sick children of working parents, and a men’s program for fathers.
We hope the District and the Children’s Center come to a resolution that would allow for the Center to remain in the Ross Valley, and we offer support in any way that we can help.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Hellman, Mayor
Town of Fairfax
CC: Trustee Shelley Hamilton
Board President
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
Trustee Ryan O'Neil
Board Clerk
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
Trustee Marie Henrio
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
Trustee Rachel Litwack
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
Trustee Wesley Pratt
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]
Teresa Machado
Executive Assistant to the Board, Superintendent & CBO
Ross Valley School District
100 Shaw Drive | San Anselmo, CA 94960
[email protected]