Residents of St. Augustine have swiftly taken up all available spots in the Citizen's Academy program, a new initiative designed to deepen the community's understanding of city operations. The City of St. Augustine announced that due to the strong response, the enrollment for the program has reached its full capacity of 20 participants.
The program was introduced on February 24, by Assistant City Manager Reuben Franklin, who sees it as a chance to not only to educate the public but also to build personal connections between the city's leadership and its people. Indeed, the Citizens’ Academy aims to provide residents with an insider perspective into how their city functions on a daily basis.
"Our goal is not only to educate our residents but to get to know them and for them to get to know us outside of commission meetings or in large community settings," Franklin was quoted saying in the original announcement published on the city's official website. With applications now closed for the year, city officials emphasize the importance of this interactive learning experience.
The Citizens’ Academy's curriculum appears to be tailored to provide a deep dive into the internal workings of the city's various departments, ranging from public works to emergency services. In doing so, it also hopes to establish a foundation of civic knowledge that will bolster community engagement.
No further applications will be accepted for the current year, as reported by the City of St. Augustine. Information about future sessions of the Citizens’ Academy will be made available as it becomes known.
