The council unanimously approved the Clearlake College Promise Program, which is an agreement between the city and Woodland Community College, which has a campus in Clearlake.
The program will commit $55,000 in city funds for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years “for the purpose of implementing a last dollar scholarship program.”
It will pay the fees for qualified Clearlake residents who graduate from any high school within the city of Clearlake and attend any one of the three Woodland Community College campuses.
As the agreement explains, “The services will benefit the City of Clearlake and its residents by encouraging Clearlake residents graduating from high school to pursue a college education and to provide educational opportunities for students who may not otherwise be able to afford to continue their education.”
The program has two components: the fee-free Clearlake College Promise and a scholarship component called the Clearlake Stars Scholarship.
The Clearlake College Promise will cover up to two years of community college fees for eligible Clearlake students. The agreement explains that students graduating from high school within a 12-month period before enrollment will be eligible for the promise component.
The points-based Clearlake Stars Scholarship offers up to $1,000 per year for additional discretionary college expenses. That scholarship is scheduled to begin in fall 2023.
“The program may provide for eligible students to receive scholarship money that can be used toward the payment of college expenses including textbooks and other required supplemental materials for enrolled classes,” the agreement states.
The program developed after Mayor Dirk Slooten began talking to the college about a promise program concept.
He told Lake County News in an interview earlier this year that the program is modeled on one that the city of Woodland has in place with Woodland Community College.
The city’s financial commitment is not a huge amount, Slooten said, but it is expected to have an impact for students.
It’s also expected to help increase enrollment, which is a challenge Yuba Community College District — of which Woodland Community College is a part — is struggling with across its eight-county service area.
As a result of Slooten’s discussions with the college, in May Dr. Cirilo Cortez, dean of the Lake County Campus of Woodland College, and college president Dr. Art Pimentel gave a presentation to the council on the promise program idea, which then was proposed to offer a total of $40,000.
As a result of the presentation, the council gave staff direction to work with the college on a plan.
At Thursday’s meeting, City Manager Alan Flora gave credit to Slooten for his energy and ability to work with the college to establish the agreement.
Cortez was on hand at the meeting to answer questions while Pimentel attended by Zoom.
Pimentel said he appreciated the city developing the model. He added that high school students who participate in such programs succeed.
He thanked Slooten and the council, noting they had asked what they could do to help support education and youth in this community and develop the workforce.
Pimentel said he was happy to know the city is committed to the community and youth and providing as many opportunities as they can.
Slooten then read a letter from Konocti Unified Superintendent Dr. Becky Salato, who thanked the council for its consideration and approval, noting the importance of education.
With the city’s support, the future will continue to be bright for students, with Salato adding that it takes a village to raise a child.
During the discussion, Flora noted that a student taking 15 units at the community college pays $742, a figure cited in the agreement.
Councilman Russ Cremer praised Slooten for his work. “I think it’s a great program,” said Cremer. “This is the type of thing we need to support.”
Cremer then moved to approve the program, with Overton offering the second and the council voting 5-0.
“Now we really have to start promoting this,” said Slooten.
He added that he had been at the college’s culinary arts program at the Lake County Campus that day. That program now has a waiting list.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Clearlake City Council commits funds to help college students with College Promise Program - Lake County News
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