Accompanied by a handful of teachers, administrators, school board members and PTA representatives, 28 IUSD high school students from Creekside, Irvine, Northwood, University and Woodbridge high schools recently traveled to Sacramento to discuss issues impacting education with state legislators and other influential policymakers.
Students started the day with a busy itinerary, beginning with the option to attend either a policy hearing or a budget subcommittee meeting upon arriving in the State Capitol. Students then met with State Senator John Moorlach; a representative from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, award-winning journalist Andy Furillo, staff from the California School Boards Association, lobbyists, and staffers from various representatives’ offices. Students made the lunch hour a working lunch by attending an informational meeting hosted by the California School Employees Association.
To prepare for the trip to Sacramento, students met weekly for one month. During this time, they met with IUSD Board Members, Superintendent Walker, District leadership, PTA leaders and others to learn more about education issues and priorities, IUSD’s budget, the LCFF and LCAP, legislative priorities and an understanding of local and state governing.