Opportunity for Everyone

Carbondale represents opportunity for many people. Students come from all over the world to have the opportunity for an education at SIU. City government can be a part of ensuring that Carbondale stands for opportunity for everyone. People like Linda Flowers, Principal of Thomas School, work to provide that kind of opportunity every day. Linda has worked hard, with a coalition of community and university volunteers, to bring string music education to every second and third grader in the Carbondale Elementary Schools. The program is unique in Southern Illinois and has been selected as a model program for the state.

Linda Flowers and the John Thomas String Program are just one example of what we in Carbondale can do to bring opportunity to everyone. I want to accentuate our community focus on education at all levels, from early childhood to continuing education. I understand that the best predictor for student success is not wealth or social status but parental education. In Carbondale, educational opportunity is everywhere. Let’s take advantage of education, Carbondale’s central industry, and improve opportunities for everyone.

Action:

1. Use the office of mayor to highlight the best of Carbondale’s educational opportunities. Challenge the negative assumptions about Carbondale public schools.
2. Leverage city funding of community organizations so that our money is being used to add opportunity whenever possible. For example, use funding as a way to promote a city wide reading program.
3. Establish a voluntary system of citizen service to the community. Use the city website and newsletter to link volunteers with opportunities and link groups that have complimentary missions.
4. Increase opportunities for student internships within the city.

Please click on any topic above for more information and specific actions I plan to take. You may also download A Working Plan for Carbondale in PDF format.