Resident sues school district over the Argonaut expansion
By Leigh Ann Maze
Saratogan Wesley Ferguson filed a petition for writ of mandate against the Saratoga Union School District on April 14, over plans for the expansion of Argonaut School. A writ of mandate is a challenge of the action of a public entity .
Ferguson, whose property on Chateau Drive borders Argonaut School, is challenging the mitigated negative declaration approved by the SUSD on March 14. The mitigated negative declaration is a study required under the California Environmental Quality Act. It requires the SUSD to describe all possible environmental effects the Argonaut expansion project might have, and how they will be lessened.
"For more than a year, scores of parents, staff and Argonaut neighbors have volunteered or provided input on the development of Argonaut School's renovation and modernization plans," said Mary Gardner, SUSD superintendent. Ferguson declined to comment for this article.
Ferguson voiced concern throughout the Argonaut School expansion planning process that facilities were added to the plans that the voters did not approve when they passed bond Measure D to fund Argonaut's expansion.
In his letter to the SUSD during the public comment period on the mitigated negative declaration, Ferguson also expressed concern over obstruction of residents' views, and noise, privacy and security issues from relocating the daycare facility.
"We will undertake every effort to address this one individual's concerns," Gardner said. "However, we cannot compromise the integrity of the community's efforts to date, or the safety and educational needs of our students."
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
