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Ceres council updates handbook: students to lead pledge, appointment process clarified
Summary
The Ceres City Council amended its rules and procedures handbook to invite CUSD students to lead the pledge of allegiance during school months (with veterans/organizations reserved for certain holidays) and to give flexibility on appointment interviews by allowing two council members to conduct subcommittee interviews or an open meeting process.
The Ceres City Council on April 28 approved three amendments to its council rules and procedures handbook aimed at formalizing pledge‑of‑allegiance procedures, clarifying appointment interviews and standardizing certificate requests.
City Clerk Alen presented the proposed edits: while schools are in session the city will invite a student from the Ceres Unified School District to lead the pledge of allegiance at regular council meetings; when school is not in session, a council member will lead. Council also agreed to reserve Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July for veterans or veteran organizations when feasible. The language was revised to allow other youth or service organizations (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or similar groups) to be scheduled during non‑school months.
On appointments, the handbook previously referenced the mayor and a council member forming a subcommittee for interviews; the council asked the clerk to change the language to allow any two council members to serve as the subcommittee or to opt for an open meeting interview format where all application questions would be included in the agenda packet. The change preserves the option for either approach with clarified application procedures and redaction for privacy.
Finally, the handbook will request at least two weeks' notice for certificate requests to allow staff time to prepare materials. Council approved the resolution adopting the amendments by roll call vote.
What's next: The clerk will incorporate the amended language into the handbook and implement scheduling and application procedures for the pledge and appointment processes.
