In August 2012, the City contracted with The Forum for Youth Investment as consultants to facilitate the development of the plan. The advisory council participated in the Design Rodeo in September and the design team began meeting in October.
The San Marcos CISD administered a Gallop Student Poll in October 2012 with more than 3,500 students from grades 5 through 12 taking part. The poll measures hope, engagement and well-being.
The Youth Master Plan Steering Committee was appointed in December 2012 and met for the first time in January 2013. Co-chairs are Bea Flores, Director of Student Services for SMCISD, Mark Newton, Pastor of First Baptist Church, and Gage Sears, San Marcos High School senior, a Youth Advisory Council representative.
The Youth Master Plan was completed in the summer of 2013 and ordinances creating the San Marcos Commission on Children and Youth and the San Marcos Youth Commission were adopted in October 2013. The City and its partners are in the process of hiring a Youth Coordinator to work with the boards and pursue implementation of the Youth Master Plan.