 |
|
|
|
|
History's ugly face imposes itself on a historic building
LGHS officials say trim to be replaced
By Leigh Ann Maze
School officials began receiving calls on Dec. 7, when concerned community members discovered that a decorative plaster trim on Los Gatos High School's main building was being removed.
LGHS principal Trudy McCulloch had asked the maintenance crew to remove the trim after it came to her attention several weeks ago that someone had scraped away part of the design so that it looked like a swastika, the symbol used by the Nazis in Germany in the '30s and '40s.
The swastikas have been a recurring problem over the years. In the past, the school has tried to plaster over the swastika designs, but the perpetrators come back and do it again, McCulloch said.
"That symbol certainly has no place on a school or on any building, and I don't want to give our community the message that it is acceptable here," McCulloch said. "We felt a permanent solution was needed."
Several parents, school employees and community members voiced concern that removal of the trim would take away from the historic building, and removal was stopped.
"This is more than just a building in this town," said Margaret Wherry, a parent of a LGHS senior and school volunteer. "Having part of it removed is taking away history." Wherry added that she hopes a compromise can be reached.
The main building was constructed around 1924 with several kinds of decorative trim. The trim that is being defaced is located on the sides and front of the main building and around the pillars holding the lamps of knowledge.
District Superintendent Cynthia Ranii informed board members of the issue at the board meeting Dec. 7. "We are committed to removing these offensive symbols and want a permanent solution to this aggravating problem," Ranii said.
She added that, after the removal of the symbols, the trim will be restored in a way that is respectful to the building and cannot be defaced in the future. Ranii has asked Assistant Superintendent Geoffrey Teall to work with McCulloch on the repair and restoration of the trim.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Unicycle riders head for the hills
|
 |
|
News Briefs
Council rejects North Forty Specific Plan
Pee Wee Cheerleaders fail to win support from Council
Downtown employee shuttle has few riders
LGHS officials remove building trim after repeated vandalism
Town must negotiate to free up property in some garage designs
Parents, pediatricians propose children's hospital for the North Forty
KCAT to broadcast Holiday Parade
Photo: Newborn Camel
|
 |
|
Letters
Editorial: Valet parking, employee shuttle
Memories of downtown Los Gatos
Ferries are practical for crossing the Bay
|
 |
|
Literacy support program helps students read at grade level
Photo: West Valley College fashion class
|
 |
|
The Prowler
Aegis Gallery, Gallery Saratoga feature Christmas crafts
Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade winners
Engagements
Wedding: Ashleigh and Trevor Coffeng
|
 |
|
New shop brings fashion designer to Old Town Shopping Center
|
 |
|
Main Street
Picture from the Past
|
 |
|
Lack of garden is no obstacle for creative apartment-dwellers
|
 |
|
The Plumed Horse to offer elegant New Year's dining
|
 |
|
Sports Briefs
Los Gatos shot down in shootout
Ryan, Blevins lead Gatos to soccer win
Veteran frosh-soph football coach Scott Downs steps down
Photo: Fisher Middle School girls basketball team
|
 |
|
Lectures, readings, auditions, sports & recreation,announcements, theater & arts, kids' stuff, clubs, public meetings...
|
 |
|
Something to say?
|
|
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
