Design Plans for New School

* Let us not be distracted by the beautiful architectural drawings (“Different Schools of Thought,” Opinion, Feb. 20), lest we repeat the Belmont fiasco. The most important graphic is the small map. The proposed high school site is located adjacent to a major freeway. I don’t think a costly environmental impact study will be needed to tell us that the levels of diesel particulates at this site are extremely high and pose a significant cancer risk to children.

Didn’t The Times recently publish an article on the hazards of diesel particulates, especially on and near freeways? I’ve got to stop looking at the pictures.

ALAN GUTTMAN

San Pedro

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* Thank you for extending an invitation to a number of architects to design the ideal school for L.A. In 1940 I attended Emerson Junior High School in West Los Angeles. At that tender age I was not aware of the name of the architect, Richard Neutra. But I was aware of the inspiring environment, where glass-walled schoolrooms slid open to private lawns, and broad, open steps were a welcome to the front entrance.

What inspiring environments could be proposed today, with all the innovative and wonderful architects we have right here in L.A.? Good buildings give a sense of pride, command attention and perhaps make one stop for just a moment and think. And thoughts are the beginning of education.

PATRICIA A. MARKS

Altadena

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* In the Opinion section, I read that “the architecture of a school can be the most important factor in a student’s education.” Then in the first section I read about a school where a kindergarten class has no heat, plus other schools where many other basic repairs are left undone (“Still Waiting for Prop. BB School Repairs”).

The contrast between these statements is painful. Yes, space, light, landscape, “environment” are important for children. But how can we rank these against the urgent problems of our local schools--decrepit buildings, overcrowding, lack of materials, administrative confusion? These are the real factors that demoralize teachers and students alike. Let us keep our priorities straight.

SARA VAN DYCK

Santa Monica