Saratoga News SUSD Board member resigns to protest recent decision Jill Hunter ends 10 years on Saratoga school board Vows to fight for trees By Michelle Alaimo She always said she couldn't be part of a board that would vote to cut down trees. And she's kept her word. Jill Hunter, a Saratoga Union School District board member for 10 years, has resigned from her position. "My position on the redevelopment of Saratoga School and primarily on the removal of the majestic eucalyptus trees puts me at odds with the majority of the members of the board. I find this is one stand I cannot in good conscience abandon," Hunter said in her letter of resignation to the district. Her decision came following a 4-1 vote on Oct. 12 to cut down 10 eucalyptus trees--including two trees on the playground, considered by many to be historic--as part of Saratoga School's renovation plans. Months of debate and presentations preceded the vote after HMC Architects' preliminary plans for the school called for the trees' removal. HMC cited safety reasons as its reason for removal. In addition to safety, the school could not have a level playing field in any of the architect's plans in which the trees stayed. The two large 75-year-old trees on the playground caused the most controversy, with several possible plans added in an effort to keep the trees and at the same time have a level playing field. The trees are set to be removed next summer. "I'm not against change," Hunter said. "I do feel those trees have never harmed anybody and have done nothing but create beauty." In her letter to the board and Superintendent Mary Gardner, Hunter stated that her resignation was effective Oct. 12. However Kathy Devich, SUSD administrative assistant to the superintendent, said the resignation becomes effective as soon as it is received by the county's superintendent of schools. The district mailed a copy of the resignation to the county on Oct. 20. Once the letter is received, the county will send a letter back to the district acknowledging the resignation. The county superintendent's office will also send a copy of the resignation to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. The board then has 60 days to make a provisional appointment for the remaining two years of Hunter's term or to call a special election. The upcoming Nov.3 school board election for three other four-year term seats will not be affected, SUSD officials said. Hunter's move comes almost on the eve of school board elections. Gardner said the board has not had a chance to discuss how they will fill Hunter's seat. She said one option is to take the candidate who receives the fewest votes in the November election and appoint him or her. If a new member is appointed, the board must post notices of the vacancy and the provisional appointment in three public places in the district within 10 days. Gardner said residents then have the right to petition the appointment within 30 days. If no one files, the appointment stands. Although Hunter has resigned, she said she is not giving up on the trees. "I didn't do this to give up, I did it to save the trees," Hunter said. She is hoping to get anyone who is interested to protest with her against the trees' removal. Hunter met with an architect last week to have a preliminary alternative plan drawn up--a plan that she said she is willing to pay for from her own pocket. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, October 28, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.