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An open letter to Deputy Supt. David A. Doomey and Board of Trustees President Marlene Draper alternated in representing the Capistrano Unified School District at the past two Mission Viejo City Council meetings. The council chamber was "standing-room only," as parents and children pleaded with the council to enter into the joint-use agreement that would build a gymnasium at Newhart Middle School. Mayor Kelley announced that we had an overflow crowd of interested citizens in the Emergency Operations Room located at the edge of the city hall facility. Sadly, it's our own fault that we have taxation without representation. Not one of the seven members of your school board is a resident of Mission Viejo. However, that's not the reason for this letter. The youngsters and parents at the meeting spoke with great passion on the need to provide a gymnasium on one of "your" district schools. Without debating your ability to use Measure A funds for a gymnasium at Newhart, I must point out that Saddleback Valley USD also had a School Improvement Bond Measure that was passed in March 2004. I noticed that on June 28, 2005, your board approved spending up to $1 million per field to add synthetic field turf at three district schools. I guess that tells us something about priorities. The Saddleback School District Bond is funding two new gymnasiums that are in design process now. Therefore, if you lack money in your General Fund, you can surely issue a new bond (subject to voter approval which, as you know, was reduced to 55 percent). It was rather disappointing in listening to Ms. Draper responding to Councilman Ury that the city approached the school district about this gym rather than the district taking a proactive initiative on its own. It tells me that, without a joint-use agreement with the city of Mission Viejo, a new gymnasium was NOT on the district’s radar screen. I will not join the debate about the cost of the new administration building or the new high school. However, let me state that these two council meetings should be eye-openers on the need for this gymnasium. You might think of the feedback as a focus group. It's all about priorities, and your board and your staff are responsible for that decision-making. One last point. I would like you to investigate and respond to the following. I am told that someone witnessed seeing Capo school district students asking to locate the five or more signup sheets for "extra credit" inside the city hall lobby. It's bad enough to see these children being misled by their parents or PTA leaders with false hopes that a joint-use gymnasium could be reconsidered after the official deadline had passed. Please explain this extra credit and who organized it. To repeat the message, both Newhart parents and students have spoken loud and clear. The ball is now in your court for remedial action. Larry Gilbert |
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