After reading the letter from Pete Kramer regarding the problem at the Blue Pheasant, I almost fell off my chair, realizing how simple the solution to the controversy could be. I wondered why the city of Cupertino had not thought of that as a solution earlier.

The parking lot could be easily enlarged as there is plenty of city-owned land adjacent to the present parking lot—and probably at a minimal cost to the city.

If the city looked at the enlargement of the parking lot as a private business would and considered the revenue the city would retain, such as rental lease money and increased sales tax money and not paying legal fees to fight the present proprietors in court, the return on investment should easily justify making this improvement.

It would satisfy neighbors on Phar Lap Drive and also satisfy many Cupertino residents, who have been using the facility for years.

To me, this is a win-win solution that the city should pursue, instead of taking the present hard-working proprietors to court.

These proprietors have been residents of Cupertino for 20 years and have been paying property taxes and sales taxes during that time, which helped build the city of Cupertino.

I congratulate Pete Kramer for suggesting a solution that is definitely a winner.

I hope the city of Cupertino can also see its way out of the courts and into this win-win solution.

Tom Pomposo

Cupertino

Hearing all sides of issue helps with understanding

As American veterans, taxpayers and voters, we are seeking ways for Cupertino residents to understand each other and work together to achieve a good future for our town and our children. One way to do this is to ask the person "on the other side" of an issue.

In her Feb. 16 letter to the Courier, Barbara Kangas invites people to do that by joining her Cupertino Schools Volunteer Network, but she needs more resources. She offered a number and extension for those who want to volunteer. But most times her message box at CUSD is full, and you cannot even leave your phone number. And also she comes in only about once a week to collect messages.

Maybe an email box would be useful for the public.

In their Feb. 16 letters, Jeff Byron, Maggie Evart and Maria Segal object to money possibly being spent for an ombudsman. Yet when our committee suggested to the county school board that this could be funded by a foundation, the response was dead silence.

Jackie Browning has found the CUSD board "sensitive and responsive," as do many other parents, and that is good. Why then were two mothers interviewed after reaching different conclusions? Because they told the county board that their children were physically abused, and for two years nothing was ever done. And even to tell this to our CUSD board required them to sit for hours because the public is heard last of all at the meetings.

Is this being sensitive?

Our committee has learned a lot since last Thanksgiving Day. We are located at 10971 Lucky Oak St., Cupertino (near Homestead Road and Highway 85), and will gladly help people to talk together if they wish to.

My own cell phone number is 408.832.9654, and I'm in the phone book. Let's work together for peace in our town.

Ralph Otte

Chairman, Veterans School Liaison Committee

Cupertino

Issue for parents may be that people do not agree

The two articles the Courier ran recently about a small group of parents who are upset with the Cupertino Union School District's poor communications with parents are misleading. The two parents you quote in your articles both ran for school board and lost. At least one of them was active in an unsuccessful attempt to recall two members of the school board. The issue may not be that they are not being heard; the issue may be that people do not agree with them.

Many parents feel that the district does an outstanding job.

Every school in the district holds regular PTA, PTO and School Site Committee meetings that are open to all parents. In addition, the superintendent and administrators meet regularly with the leaders of all these organizations at the district office.

There is a great deal of discussion at these meetings on any topic the schools wish to bring up, and attendees report back to their respective communities. The superintendent, administrators, school board members and principals all attend PTA general council meetings. There are many opportunities for parents to raise issues that concern them.

In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, the school district includes parent representatives on most (if not all) district-wide committees. These committees deal with the budget, curricular issues textbook selection, and site management, just to give a few examples.

Every school in the district has a regular newsletter that is sent home to parents. The district has also recently hired Jeremy Nishihara, who has an extensive background in communications. He has upgraded the district website, and it is hard to think of much necessary information that the website does not provide. Many of the schools have their own websites as well.

I have been involved with the district for many years, and I have at one time or another worked in all of the above mentioned groups. There have been many times that I have not agreed with district decisions, but I cannot recall a time that I was not able to express whatever opinions I had freely and without the slightest thought of retaliation. The district provided all three of my children with a first-class education. I know there are many district parents who feel the same way that I do, and I think at least some of them should have also been mentioned in the Courier's article.

Cathy Goldman

Cupertino