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Page 1 of 3 <br />Item #4 <br /> <br />YOUTH COMMISSION AGENDA <br />REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />October 8, 2025 <br />Library and Recreation <br /> <br />TITLE: REVIEW AND DISCUSS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT DAY 2026 <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br />For many years, the City of Pleasanton (City) and the Pleasanton Unified School District <br />(PUSD) have partnered to host Youth in Government Day. In recent years, both PUSD and the <br />City have struggled to accommodate students' job shadowing preferences. Additionally, both <br />the City and PUSD are facing ongoing budget challenges that have negatively impacted <br />staffing levels. Staff recommends that the Youth Commission provide feedback on an updated <br />model for Youth in Government Day that aligns with the program’s original goals while <br />reducing staff workload and alleviating financial constraints for both PUSD and the City. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Review and discuss the proposed options for Youth in Government Day 2026 event. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The goal of Youth in Government Day is to stimulate interest in community governance and <br />build knowledge of the democratic process. In the past, Pleasanton high school students have <br />spent a day job shadowing, participating in staff meetings, and learning about City and PUSD <br />leadership. On average 75 students attend this event annually. <br /> <br />On September 29, City staff met with PUSD leadership to discuss challenges with continuing <br />the current Youth in Government Day model, and possible changes to the program. The <br />feedback from this discussion is listed below: <br />• Would like involvement from both PUSD and City leadership to continue <br />• Would like to see job shadows continue in some format <br />• Recommend we chose a date for the event ASAP (possibly February 24) <br />• Open to shortening the event, but would like to retain the full-day model <br />• Would like to hear feedback from the Youth Commission on changes to the event and <br />ideas on how to create student excitement about this event. <br /> <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />Based upon the need to find a model that improves efficiency for staff and provides impactful <br />learning for attendees, staff has reviewed Youth in Government Day activities in 10 other <br />cities. The findings are listed below: <br />• Average length of program is three to four hours <br />• Some agencies provide tours of facilities <br />• Some provide job shadows <br />Page 6 of 14