School Land Is There--Let’s Use It

We were fortunate to be in Sacramento on Nov. 30 to witness the State Allocation Board give unanimous approval to purchase the site for our needed “Space Saver” school.

Intense negotiations between the (Santa Ana Unified) School District staff and the Office of Local Assistance (OLA), and meetings with State Allocation Board members and representatives resulted in the OLA staff rescinding its previous report and making new recommendations that were acceptable to all the parties.

We understand the concerns raised about the potential price of this site. However, we wish to ensure that certain salient points are adequately addressed.

First, the OLA staff report was to state the accuracy and completeness of the three appraisals performed. Passing on the merits of the project or the price was not within the purview of OLA.

Second, other properties are theoretically available, but the actual price for those locations could be greater than for the current location. The expense of condemnation and other entanglements make those sites untenable at present.

Third, should the district switch to one of those locations it would lose the money reserved for the current project. This would push the opening of a much-needed ninth intermediate school into the next century.

We are appalled to see some residents of Santa Ana admit that they would rather wait years longer to acquire land for this school than to proceed forward now. How can they justify abandoning what is in hand for an uncertain future at unknown cost?

We are eager to work with the city in preparing the site for the new school. We call on (Santa Ana) Councilwoman (Lisa) Mills and all of the city to support this project for the benefit of the precious children of our fair city.

KATHI JO BRUNNING

MARK PEREW

WENDY TOBISKA

Santa Ana