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<br />being a role model for students and influencing the culture. He urged Council to support <br />funding for the SRO as an investment in social capital. <br /> <br />Elise Levin-Guragar, a sophomore at Sequoia High School, said she feels strongly that it is <br />necessary for Sequoia High School to have an SRO on campus as an amazingly helpful <br />and important figure for many students in a variety of ways. She expressed her <br />appreciation of Council's support to youth and the community and said they would <br />appreciate Council's continued support. <br /> <br />Cynthia McCain a resident of Redwood City's North Fair Oaks area and the mother of a <br />junior at Sequoia High School, asked Council to reconsider the cut as the SRO is <br />extremely important to parents and students. <br /> <br />Judy Draper, the parent of a junior at Sequoia High School and president of the PTA <br />(Parent Teach Association), expressed her appreciation for the temporary solution to <br />continue to fund the SRO through the rest of the school year. She provided many reasons <br />why she thinks it is critical to maintain the SRO position, including the SRO being a <br />powerful deterrent, a role model, mentor, and confidant for students. She opined that <br />Sequoia High School is a great place renowned for its bachelorette program, inclusive <br />sports program, and performing arts programs. <br /> <br />Suzanne Saluti is a resident of San Carlos and her daughter is attending Sequoia High <br />School. She opined that it is important for voices outside of Redwood City to be heard, <br />that the school is a safe place, that the SRO is a preventative practice for high schools, <br />that it would be unconscionable to make school safety less of a priority, and she <br />questioned how fiscally responsible it would be to not continue the partially funded SRO. <br />She urged everyone to continue to work together and they want the school to continue to <br />be a safe place that they want to send their send kids. <br /> <br />Mayor Foust asked if anyone has approached the City of San Carlos about possibly <br />assisting Redwood City with funding this officer. Chief Cobarruviaz said he has not gone to <br />the City San Carlos regarding funding this position, but he has spoken with the chiefs of <br />police at San Carlos, Menlo Park and Atherton about the preliminary possibility of <br />combining certain services. <br /> <br />Jean Forstner is a Redwood City resident and has a daughter who is a sophomore at <br />Sequoia High School and opined that she finds it ironic that the City has been honored for <br />its commitment to the children's bill of rights. She spoke about how this school has <br />changed over the years. She opined that this is the worst time to consider cutting when it <br />has been a success, and questioned what sort of legacy the Council wished to leave in <br />balancing the budget. <br /> <br />Lorraine Rumley said she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Sequoia Union High <br />School District, she has two daughters that graduated from Sequoia High School, and she <br />spoke of the District's commitment to the schools and cities. She gave details about what <br />other districts have in terms of SROs, and her concerns on the possible loss of the SRO in <br />Redwood City. She feels that the SRO is vital for the health, well being, and safety, and <br />especially for at risk kids who need to be helped. She opined that everyone is facing <br />budget cuts but that we cannot afford to lose the SRO. <br /> <br />JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD <br />MEETING MINUTES <br /> <br />NOVEMBER 9, 2009 <br />PAGE 7 <br />