CC - Item 4C - Non-English Special Interest Classes•
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND C~I~TY~~CpO~UNCIL
FROM: OLIVER CHI, CITY MANAGER Cur-'~"'
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2008
SUBJECT: RESIDENT CONCERN REGARDING NON-ENGLISH INSTRUCTION IN
SPECIAL INTEREST CLASSES
SUMMARY
Recently, a resident expressed concern about non-English instruction in a City of Rosemead
Special Interest Class (SIC) to Council Member Clark. It appears that the resident also inquired
as to the legality of offering such classes and any potential liability faced by the City as a result
of this practice.
Of the sixty-nine SIC classes offered by the City of Rosemead, there are five for which English
is not the primary language of the instructor. These five classes are offered at the Garvey
Center and include Latin Dance, Social Dance, Chinese Fitness Dance, Advanced Ballroom,
and Violin. Furthermore, in the City's Parks & Recreation brochure, these classes are listed as
being taught by instructors who have limited English language ability.
An initial legal evaluation of the issue suggests that the City of Rosemead has no apparent legal
liability by offering some classes for which English is not the primary language of the instructor.
In an effort to make our contract classes more equitable for all members of the community,
Council Member, Clark has requested that staff investigate the possibility of implementing some
type of requirement to ensure that concerns about the City's SIC are addressed. Among the
potential solutions suggested include the possibility of requiring translators at such classes or
requiring a minimum standard of English proficiency for all class instructors.
Staff is currently working on the Winter 2008 class schedule listing, which is scheduled to be
finalized by November 20. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the brochures will be delivered to
residents during the first week of December.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council provide direction in regards to the matter of English
language instruction for Special Interest Classes.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This. item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
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APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA:
ITEM NUMBER: