City and school leaders discussed several related initiatives aimed at increasing student engagement with local government and careers, and the subcommittee approved two student liaisons and increased the scholarship amount tied to the liaison program.
The matters matter because they affect student exposure to local government and workforce opportunities, will change outreach and selection processes for liaison participation, and could direct modest city or partner resources to events and scholarships.
Marquez (council member) and city staff outlined a concept for a career fair to be built in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, the school district and local employers. Marquez said the idea “coincides with economic development” and suggested school staff could help with resume building and on‑site support. Staff described the plan as conceptual and said the chamber will be asked to recruit participating businesses.
On the youth‑voice event, staff said Losian, a county nonprofit, runs a “youth perspective” program; the subcommittee agreed to sponsor a venue slot at the Citrus Fair to host the panel this year and consider a city‑led event at a later date. Staff noted the county event typically runs in March and the nonprofit organizes the panel.
On the student liaison program, staff told the committee they received two completed applications during the open window; the subcommittee voted to appoint both applicants to the 2024–25 liaison cohort. Staff also reported the liaison scholarship has been increased to $1,000 per student; the previous scholarship amount was not specified in the meeting materials. Committee members asked staff to tighten attendance tracking and to require written reports when liaisons cannot attend meetings so that scholarship eligibility and program participation are clear. One member suggested an attendance policy with excused absences for school activities such as sports.
Committee members discussed outreach and timing for the programs — encouraging schools to notify parents and to use multiple channels so students and families know about the opportunities — and agreed onboarding and outreach would be completed before the liaisons begin their term in September.
The subcommittee directed staff to complete onboarding for the selected liaisons, to circulate an updated application/attendance policy for the next cycle, and to coordinate with school administrators on outreach and promotion.