In February 1995, a cross-section of the community holed up in a room for three days to hammer out a vision for the Sunnyvale Elementary School District. That group of 34 laid the groundwork for the district's strategic plan, which sets out to raise teachers' expectations of students, beef up parent participation and give children a well-rounded education assisted by modern computer technology.
Sixty-four additional community members, including dozens of parents, strengthened the vision by devising action plans to turn these goals into realities. In November, the school board passed the strategic plan unanimously.
Now, our students need voters to help move that plan toward fruition. On June 4, the district is asking Sunnyvale residents to approve Measure A, a $34 million bond measure to modernize the district's nine aging school facilities.
We think Measure A is a good idea. Many of the district's schools have leaky roofs, run-down portable classrooms and unsafe playground equipment. Bishop School, built in 1948, has plumbing so old and rusty that no amount of cleansing will make it less odoriferous.
Not one classroom has more than two electrical outlets, according to schools superintendent Doris Wilson. That makes it rather difficult to equip students with computers and multimedia equipment, which is called for in a strategic plan that has broad-based community support.
If the measure passes, work crews will begin this summer to address some of these problems. Cumberland School and Sunnyvale Middle School will receive fresh coats of paint. Bishop, Cherry Chase, De Anza and Lakewood elementary schools will get new roofs, as will Columbia and Sunnyvale middle schools. Vargas School and others will be equipped with conduits and cabling for computer and video networking.
These summer projects, which can start immediately because they don't need approval from the Office of the State Architect, are just the beginning. The district has a binder full of projects, with costs nailed down, available for inspection by the public. Citizens can view the list at the district office, 819 W. Iowa Ave.
Speaking of the district office ...
We know many residents are still fuming over the $2 million price tag of building the new administration facility, constructed while all these problems existed at the school sites. And they may have a point.
But that fight is over. The building, whether we agreed the district needed it or not, is bought and paid for.
Now we're talking about the safety, well-being and educational future of 5,800 students. We think the price--which for the average property owner comes to about $25 a year--is worth it.
Get out to vote June 4, and vote "yes" on Measure A.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 22, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.