The below resolution about the 2020 US Census was approved by the Ventura County Board of Education on September 23, 2019. Local school boards can promote awareness of the census and encourage participation by adopting similar resolutions of their own.
VENTURA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
RESOLUTION NO. 19-08
2020 CENSUS PARTNERSHIP
Approved September 23, 2019
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau is required by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to conduct an accurate count of the population every ten years; and
WHEREAS, the next enumeration will be April 1, 2020 and will be the first to rely heavily on online responses; and
WHEREAS, the primary and perpetual challenge facing the U.S. Census Bureau is the undercount of certain population groups; and
WHEREAS, that challenge is amplified in California, given the size of the state and the diversity of communities; and
WHEREAS, California has a large percentage of individuals that are considered traditionally hard to count; and
WHEREAS, these diverse communities and demographic populations are at risk of being missed in the 2020 Census; and
WHEREAS, California receives nearly $77 billion in federal funding that relies, in part, on census data; and
WHEREAS, a complete and accurate count of California’s population is essential; and
WHEREAS, the data collected by the decennial Census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the data is also used in the redistricting of state legislatures, county boards of supervisors and city councils; and
WHEREAS, the decennial census is a massive undertaking that requires cross-sector collaboration and partnership in order to achieve a complete and accurate count; and
WHEREAS, California’s leaders have dedicated a historic amount of funding and resources to ensure every Californian is counted once, only once and in the right place; and
WHEREAS, this includes coordination between tribal, city, county, state governments, community-based organizations, education, and many more; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Census Bureau is facing several challenges with Census 2020, including a constrained fiscal environment, rapidly changing use of technology, declining response rates, increasingly diverse and mobile population, thus support from partners and stakeholders is critical; and
WHEREAS, the Ventura County Office of Education, in partnership with the Ventura County 2020 Complete Count Committee, local education agencies, other local governments, the State, businesses, and community organizations, is committed to robust outreach and communication strategies, focusing on reaching the hardest-to-count individuals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Ventura County Board of Education, recognition of the importance of the 2020 U.S. Census and its support in helping to ensure a complete, fair, and accurate count of all Californians.