According to a letter from the school district, sent to the man whose family has grown barley on the site for almost 10 years, there's no reason to plant this year since "the commencement of the [sports complex] seems to be in the near future."

A barn, drying shed, lean-tos, and an abandoned, boarded-up house will be razed as soon as the caretaker clears out all of his property. The caretaker, Tony Vargas, was told he has 30 days to clear out all equipment and personal property at the site. The district granted an extra 15 days at his request.

However, the sports complex has not yet been approved by the city council. Also, the latest environmental impact report on the sports complex project will remain open for public comment until Sept. 27.

But answers to questions about the timing of the bulldozing, many questions regarding the sports complex, aren't completely straightforward.

Sonja Shurr, a consultant in charge of facilities and property management for the school district, said the dilapidated structures are a liability. "The house has been broken into several times. They've even taken appliances out. The old lean-tos are barely standing up."

She added that she didn't want to see Vargas spend time and money to plant the fields in October when he might not be able to harvest the barley hay next spring. "We worried about it last year, too, but then the EIR didn't happen," she said.

Vargas said the school district offered to let him plant on the remaining 35 acres that will not be used for the sports complex. "But I can't count on that," he said.

As for vandalism, he said the property will be in worse shape once he clears out. "I have surveillance cameras, for the equipment. People know I come around a lot."

According to three of the five school board members the Resident was able to contact, there are different reasons for the timing of the demolition, ranging from liability concerns to worries that Vargas was actually living on the property rather than just farming.

None of the members the Almaden Resident spoke with knew that the district would be paying $10,000 for the demolition.

School-board President and ex-officio AYA board member Gary Rummelhoff said projects like the bulldozing and demolition of the structures aren't something the board members would think about. "It's fairly low on our priority list," he said. "It's not a big deal."

Rummelhoff questioned why the Resident was asking questions about the demolition. "I'm afraid you may potentially make something out of nothing. It's an odd thing to write about. I'd hate to see this piece of property used as a political football."

He demanded to know how the Resident had obtained a copy of the letter sent to Vargas.

Although board member Veronica Lewis and Rummelhoff said they thought there was a concern over Vargas actually living at the site, the caretaker said he was not living there.

"I only have a lunchroom out there," said Vargas. The letter he received from SJUSD was sent to an address five miles away from the Caglia property.

District Superintendent Don Iglesias, who took over from Superintendent Linda Murray on Aug. 31, said there were several reasons for the timing of the demolitions. "We anticipate or assume something is going to happen with the property in terms of the city. Those buildings are a potential liability--the old, rickety house has been vandalized and broken into.

"And it's a good-faith effort by the school district to support kids and the city in regards to the sports fields," he said.

If the sports complex is not approved, Iglesias said, then planting could start anew.

Opposition to the complex has focused on environmental concerns laid out in the latest environmental impact report. Two impacts labeled "significant and unavoidable" involve insufficient water supply available for the fields, which could damage other wells in the area during a drought, and safety for people riding bikes and horses or walking along the narrow, two-lane McKean Road that would lead to the sports complex.

The following is the text of the letter sent to Tony Vargas by the San Jose Unified School District, informing him he has one month to vacate Caglia Ranch and remove his property. It was addressed to Vargas' deceased father, Richard Vargas, who had the original contract with the school district.

San Jose Unified
School District
Facility & Property Management
 

August 27, 2004

Richard W. Vargas

Dear Richard: (sic)

The City of San Jose and San Jose Unified School District have been meeting with regards to the proposed sports complex scheduled to be constructed on 35.04 acres of the Caglia property.

The commencement of this project seems to be in the near future. It would be unconscionable on my part to allow you to plant the fields. It is estimated that during the time that barley is in its growing phase construction will commence on the fields. Consequently, Richard, it is necessary that the District terminate the License Agreement thirty (30) days from receipt of this official notice. All equipment, material, supplies, hay bales and personal property belonging to you must be removed from the Caglia property within the thirty days. The barn, drying shed, lean-to, former dilapidated worker quarters will be bulldozed.

Richard (sic), it has been a pleasure to have worked with you. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and know your Dad. I wish you the best in the future.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Sonja J. Shurr

Consultant

cc: Don Iglesias, Superintendent Elect

Marilyn Cleveland, Legal Counsel

Miller Brown & Dannis