Education and Lifelong Learning

Encourage efforts to expand the overall capacity of local childcare and early childhood development centers in Burlingame. Identify opportunities for affordable alternatives to pre-school and pre-kindergarten through partnerships with the Burlingame School District, the Parks and Recreation Department, libraries, and community organizations.

Integrate childcare facility needs into the City’s planning processes. Where possible, locate childcare services in or near housing and transportation and employment centers for convenient access. 

Support Burlingame’s well-regarded public-school system, working with the Burlingame School District and the San Mateo Union High School District as appropriate to ensure program and facility needs are met. 

Support the efforts of the Burlingame School District to implement the School District Facility Master Plan, and ensure timely renovations and reconstructions of aging facilities by including street improvement needs in the City’s Capital Improvement Program. 

Assist local school districts in identifying potential school locations to serve growth in enrollment. 

Support creative public-private partnerships to facilitate the funding and development of public school facilities. 

Encourage local school districts and private educational institutions to incorporate sustainable design practices into construction and renovation of school facilities to reduce energy and water consumption. 

Support the efforts of public and private schools to improve school facilities with cutting-edge technologies that enhance the learning environment.

Support Burlingame’s private and alternative technical schools to ensure a variety of options for different learning environments. 

Identify opportunities for partnerships with schools, libraries, local colleges, and other educational organizations to establish accessible community education programs and events for all ages, including early childhood education, English Language Learner classes, technology classes, after-school programs, recreational activities, and senior programs. 

Partner with schools, libraries, and local colleges to expand access to online courses and digital learning opportunities. 

Provide public library facilities that are inviting, accessible, and comfortable for residents of all ages. Support facility and research technology improvements as needed. 

Adapt library collections, materials, and programs over time to respond to evolving community needs and advances in technology. 

Increase access to educational resources by promoting online and digital technologies that allow users to access non-print collections through electronic devices. Consider innovative ways to bring library services into the community through library kiosks, pop-up libraries, book vending machines, and book fairs. 

Pursue funding for library facility maintenance and enhancement of programs and services through a variety of mechanisms, including developer fees, general fund resources, special service districts, user fees, bond initiatives, and grants. Include funds in the Capital Improvement Program for timely facility improvements. 

Encourage local colleges, vocational and technical schools, and large institutions such as Mills-Peninsula Hospital to provide continuing education courses and certificate programs. 

Promote career resources, programs, and occupational skills training services offered by local and regional agencies, such as the NOVA Workforce Board and the California Employment Development Department. Coordinate with local schools, colleges, and businesses to sponsor job fairs and career training programs.