This letter is in response to Mr. Ferla's question (Oct. 8 issue) about why it was not possible for Saratoga fans to simply switch sides at a Los Gatos­Saratoga football game two years ago. Although I don't understand why he chose to mention high school administrative perks and salaries in the same letter as a high school tradition, I still feel compelled to set the record straight.

Mr. Ferla, have you ever heard of something called tradition? Saratoga and Los Gatos high schools are one district, and since the opening of Saratoga High in the 1960s, the schools have always switched off every year for the home-side bleachers. It was that way when my siblings attended in the late '60s and '70s, it remained that way when I attended Saratoga High in the '80s and I am happy to say that my daughter is now enjoying her right of passage, too. Remember, it is a joint school district, so basically that means we share the one football field.

If you had chosen to get the facts before you wrote your letter, you would have known that two years ago Saratoga was forced to block off a section of bleachers on the home side to accommodate the expected overflow of Los Gatos fans. This happened because some Los Gatos parents complained that Los Gatos should not have to sit on the visitor's side because they have more fans and it is their school. That year a whole section of bleachers was vacant because no Los Gatos fans wanted to sit on the Saratoga side. So in effect, Saratoga also had about 200 to 300 people standing because they were not allowed to sit in those bleachers.

Every year the two schools play each other, both sides have a full house. That night two years ago was no exception—both sides were packed. Your statement that 750 Los Gatos fans had to stand was a bit of an embellishment.

I am happy to say that I can't wait until this year's game between the two schools. It is a great, long-standing tradition and rivalry—and you know what, Mr. Ferla, it's Saratoga's turn to take home side.

—Jeanine Spaich Seagraves, Oak Place