Sen. Mike McGuire visits school officials, students
'The stronger our schools are, the stronger our communities are'
North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) recently paid a visit to Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary School in Scotia, had a brief one-on-one interaction with 7th and 8th grade students, and talked with school officials about plans for a new school gymnasium.
“I’m a big believer that our number one priority in California is students and schools,” McGuire said during his Nov. 17 visit. “The stronger our schools are, the stronger our communities are.”
The students were given the opportunity to ask questions and talk to McGuire about current issues including inflation, power outages, and legislation the lawmaker has helped pass into law.
Seventh grader and Associated Student Body President Kayman Mandon noted that “Senator McGuire was very enthusiastic, wanted to learn the names of the students and really cared about what the students asked.”
“He really listened to us and asked us follow-up questions,” Mandon said.
McGuire talked with the students about their educational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and when asked if it was good to be back in the classroom. All the students said a resounding “yes.” To the students, McGuire said, “Thank you for all your hard work during that time.”
Scotia Union School District Superintendent and Principal
Amy Gossien said, “With his focus on education, Senator McGuire showed our students that no matter how young they are or how small of a community they come from, their needs are being considered by our elected officials locally and in Sacramento.”
McGuire explained that another one of his priorities is to address the need for better internet and cellular services in Humboldt County. He discussed an upcoming broadband project which will include installing a fiber line along U.S. Highway 101 as well as money for local communities to connect to that line.
The broadband legislation was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 20, 2021.
“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it has to be a right,” according to a previous news release from McGuire. “This pandemic shined a spotlight on the massive disparities that exist in California’s small towns and inner cities when it comes to the lack of internet. The state will advance a desperately needed worst-first strategy connecting those who are unserved and then connecting residents who are underserved with high-quality internet.”
After meeting with the students, McGuire met with school officials to discuss the new school gymnasium project.
“Our (School) Board of Trustees clerk Neil Bartlett reached out to Senator McGuire. He invited the Senator to visit our rural school, so we could share the long road and struggles the School District has gone through to secure adequate funding for the gym project,” Gossien said.
Demolition of the old Pacific Lumber Recreation building, which was transferred to the school in 2007, is underway and a new school gymnasium will be built on the same site near the school in Scotia.