Belmont: Playing It Safe for Others

Re “School Board Poised to Revive Abandoned Belmont Project,” March 11: It seems that while LAUSD Supt. Roy Romer is trying his best to convince us that Belmont is safe for everyone, I would feel a lot more confident and willing to go along with his ideas if they would move the board meetings and offices to the new high school site.

Think of all the money that would be saved if the offices were moved there. Action speaks volumes, and if it’s safe enough for kids and teachers, surely it’s safe enough for the administrative offices of our school system.

Sue Hammarlund

Northridge

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Re “Let the School Bell Ring at the Belmont Complex,” Voices, March 9: I’m confused. According to Rafael Gonzalez, the Belmont controversy is about students needing classrooms. But I thought the controversy was about toxic hazards and possible criminal behavior.

The Belmont community is no more overcrowded than many other of the LAUSD’s inner-city neighborhoods. To say we should finish Belmont because the area is overcrowded is to confuse the priority of issues. Yes, these kids need a new school, but such a need is not unique in this city and is certainly no justification for risking public health.

John Beach

Los Angeles