December 14, 2007

Evergreen Parents’ Task Force (EPTF) launched

Evergreen Parents' Task Force (EPTF), a grassroots organization touting the need for public advocacy and community involvement in the Evergreen schools’ boundary realignment process, completed registration with the State of California as a nonprofit organization in December 2007.

According to EPTF, the group's vision is to improve public policy process, especially as related to children's education, by “encouraging greater community involvement and collaboration with our school system, achieving optimal utilization of the resources already available, making our elementary and middle schools among the best in the state”.

EPTF's short term goal remains to help find solutions to the overcrowding issues in the southeast corner schools of the Evergreen School District, solutions that minimize the impact on children, and improves the desirability of Evergreen as a community to live in, with respect and inclusion of community input in public policy making, and stability as well as excellence in public education.

Some EPTF volunteers have long been involved in activities that support the local schools, such as classroom assistance, volunteering with PTA, Project Cornerstone, ABC Reading Program co-ordination, and serving on school site councils. As evidenced by the formation of the EPTF, the Evergreen School District boundary realignment issues have highlighted the need for community involvement of another form - involvement in education policy making.

"I commend the Evergreen Parent Task Force for empowering themselves and making a commitment to partner with the community in our continuous quest for excellence in education," said Craig Mann, Santa Clara County Board of Education member and a candidate for District 8 City Council.

Other community supporters include Santa Clara County Board of Education member T.N. Ho, who added, "I believe school districts need to work with all parents openly and promptly. I am glad to see that the parents of [the] Evergreen School District have organized EPTF to address such needs." Ho is currently running for the District 5 City Council seat.

Minh Duong, Education Committee chairman of District 8 Community Round Table and candidate for District 8 City Council, has also added his support to the efforts of EPTF.

“Working along side with EPTF on the issue of Strict Proof of Residency, I think the incorporation of EPTF is applaudable. EPTF has demonstrated strong commitment to our community on the issues of education,” said Duong. “Its ability to work and to cooperate with various leadership channels will enable itself to help improve our educational system."

In the long run, EPTF seeks to work with all policy makers that can affect our schools, in order to improve the quality of education received by all children residing in greater Evergreen.

EPTF invites residents who share our short and long term goals to become members of the association. For information on association bylaws, steering committee, membership and meetings, visit their web site:  www.evergreenparents.com. EPTF board members can be contacted by email at: info@evergreenparents.com.