Finding Sites for Schools

* Re “School Sites a Community Choice, Ventura County editorial, March 4.

This Times editorial about the proposed Emerson Street school site should be read by everyone. It is brief and to the point: A school should not be built there.

As a member of the siting committee, I have to say the staff of both the city of Oxnard and the Oxnard Elementary School District were not forthcoming with facts and pertinent information.

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and at least two legislators got it right and have demonstrated leadership and courage. Supervisors John Flynn and Frank Schillo led the way. It is a pity there are none such on the City Council in Oxnard.

MARTIN JONES

Oxnard

* Unfortunately, it would seem that Bill Studt, superintendent of Oxnard Union High School District, is trying to prepare the public for the fact that he and his board are intending to build a high school surrounded by fields--just as in the case of the Oxnard school board with the Juan Soria School site.

Studt’s and the board’s records are dismal concerning their lack of protection for staff and students at their schools.

They do not consider the pesticides a problem, despite the fact that Rio Mesa High School is more at risk than any other school in the state and probably the nation. They were famous for going into the greenbelt to build Oxnard High School, overriding LAFCO just as the Oxnard school district is trying to do.

Same old story: They are blaming the state Department of Education, saying that they need a certain number of acres in order to build a high school.

MARCIA CUMMINGS

Oxnard