Comments on: San Carlos School District set to change school boundaries. http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/ If it happens in San Carlos, it's in here... Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:23:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: A wright http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-24960 A wright Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:53:46 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-24960 Before any child is subjected to a RCSD school you should hope for a change in leadership at the district level and middle school. One of the worst run districts ever sustituted. Which middle school couldn't keep subs for two classes due to blatent incorrigibility? The same one that empowers undisciplined kids and their equally clueless parents by admonishing staff? Get a clue san carlos parents!!!!! Before any child is subjected to a RCSD school you should hope for a change in leadership at the district level and middle school. One of the worst run districts ever sustituted. Which middle school couldn’t keep subs for two classes due to blatent incorrigibility? The same one that empowers undisciplined kids and their equally clueless parents by admonishing staff? Get a clue san carlos parents!!!!!

]]> By: Arundel parent http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-10460 Arundel parent Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:32:15 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-10460 I just wanted to reiterate earlier discussions on the boundary change. A White Oaks parent expressed this on 08.17.2009 : "Although, we are still disappointed that our child will not be attending our neighborhood school. We choose the White Oaks neighborhood because of its walkability and sense of community and are truly disappointed that we can hear the White Oaks school bell and see our neighbors walking to school, but have to get in the car to drive somewhere else." The proposed new lines for Arundel would permanently divide the neighborhood. We also chose our home for the walkability and sense of community. Current areas under consideration for a move to Heather are walkable to Arundel in 8 minutes, we can hear the school bells ring. This proposal would shift what has been happening to a few at White Oaks to a part of the Arundel / Devonshire neighborhood. This is completely unjust. I urge the board to consider individual streets in terms of walkability within lower Devonshire. I just wanted to reiterate earlier discussions on the boundary change. A White Oaks parent expressed this on 08.17.2009 : “Although, we are still disappointed that our child will not be attending our neighborhood school. We choose the White Oaks neighborhood because of its walkability and sense of community and are truly disappointed that we can hear the White Oaks school bell and see our neighbors walking to school, but have to get in the car to drive somewhere else.”
The proposed new lines for Arundel would permanently divide the neighborhood. We also chose our home for the walkability and sense of community. Current areas under consideration for a move to Heather are walkable to Arundel in 8 minutes, we can hear the school bells ring. This proposal would shift what has been happening to a few at White Oaks to a part of the Arundel / Devonshire neighborhood. This is completely unjust. I urge the board to consider individual streets in terms of walkability within lower Devonshire.

]]> By: Seth http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-10453 Seth Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:42:58 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-10453 OK, just so I understand...since I'm active on the blogs (my own and community blogs) and trying to get information out to the public, and I state my opinion very clearly, then I should be criticized. Wow, I never heard that criticism before. B -- I hear the emotion coming through in your comments, but you must guard against unproductive comments which besides insulting people, spread false information. There are too many misstatements in your post for me to respond point-by-point (such as the effect on middle school, which this change doesn't affect), but rather I invite you have a real dialog with me. It's all too easy to hide behind the cloak of anonymity and hurl half-truths and insults. So, anytime you want to have a real dialog, please let me know. I also want to remind you that there are five board members, and it takes a majority to make any decision. Lastly, if you believe you have better ideas and judgment than the rest of us, I encourage you to run for the School Board. OK, just so I understand…since I’m active on the blogs (my own and community blogs) and trying to get information out to the public, and I state my opinion very clearly, then I should be criticized. Wow, I never heard that criticism before. B — I hear the emotion coming through in your comments, but you must guard against unproductive comments which besides insulting people, spread false information. There are too many misstatements in your post for me to respond point-by-point (such as the effect on middle school, which this change doesn’t affect), but rather I invite you have a real dialog with me. It’s all too easy to hide behind the cloak of anonymity and hurl half-truths and insults. So, anytime you want to have a real dialog, please let me know. I also want to remind you that there are five board members, and it takes a majority to make any decision. Lastly, if you believe you have better ideas and judgment than the rest of us, I encourage you to run for the School Board.

]]> By: B http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-10450 B Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:50:43 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-10450 Seth, People perceive it as your plan, because you are the only one out on the BLOGS vocally promoting it! Most of the other Board members seem to be more focused on the Budget. At the Board meeting last Thursday, I did hear a Board member speak out very eloquently, careful and thoughtful about how you don't really know if this will work. In fact, it might not work and she said that you all (the entire Board) better get it right. "These small pockets might not even be enough". "Why rush", was another comment I heard at Board meeting by a Board member. So no, not everyone thinks this is the best way to solve it. I understand there is an enrollment problem, I just don't think "your" plan is the best way to solve it! This will create so much traffic at TL/Charter/Edison. This campus houses 3 schools. TL is already impacted! What will you tell these Laureola people when they reach middle school??? You now have to go to Central? Have you got input from CLC or Edison Montessori on how they might feel about how this could impact their drop off? Have you consulted the Transportation and Circulation Department on how this could affect walkability, traffic congestion and traffic patterns at Arundel, TL, CLC and Edison and San Carlos??? They are the experts on this stuff! I would think you would at least consult with them. They look at this stuff all day long and could make the best informed recommendation!! I'm done here! For good!! Seth,
People perceive it as your plan, because you are the only one out on the BLOGS vocally promoting it! Most of the other Board members seem to be more focused on the Budget.

At the Board meeting last Thursday, I did hear a Board member speak out very eloquently, careful and thoughtful about how you don’t really know if this will work. In fact, it might not work and she said that you all (the entire Board) better get it right. “These small pockets might not even be enough”. “Why rush”, was another comment I heard at Board meeting by a Board member.

So no, not everyone thinks this is the best way to solve it.

I understand there is an enrollment problem, I just don’t think “your” plan is the best way to solve it! This will create so much traffic at TL/Charter/Edison. This campus houses 3 schools.

TL is already impacted! What will you tell these Laureola people when they reach middle school??? You now have to go to Central? Have you got input from CLC or Edison Montessori on how they might feel about how this could impact their drop off? Have you consulted the Transportation and Circulation Department on how this could affect walkability, traffic congestion and traffic patterns at Arundel, TL, CLC and Edison and San Carlos??? They are the experts on this stuff!

I would think you would at least consult with them. They look at this stuff all day long and could make the best informed recommendation!!

I’m done here! For good!!

]]> By: Chuck http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-10447 Chuck Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:52:22 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-10447 B, I definitely refer people to Seth's blog, and will continue to do so. When the story first broke about the proposed boundary changes, his site was the only place that had the details -- as one WOB reader correctly stated, the information wasn't even on the School District's own website! It wasn't until a couple of days later that it was finally posted. I can't expect you to know all of this, but Seth really went out his way to make sure the info got out to as many people as soon as possible -- this blog is just one way to do that. He put together an elaborate email that outlined the many changes that the entire board proposed (not just him.) I'll be the first to admit that I don't know the intimate details of how these proposed boundary changes will impact everyone, especially those of you in Devonshire Canyon. We're in the BA school district, but my kids are now in the middle school/high school phase, so I'm even one more step removed from this. But I do know that the board has worked very hard the past few years to resolve the recurring over-enrollment issues, with the intent of ensuring that the kids got to go to their school of choice. Boundary changes aren't something new -- I think they've always been a last resort if the Board couldn't resolve over-enrollment through normal means. This past year, that exact thing happened with White Oaks. From what I have heard and discussed with others, it sounds like Dr. Baker and the entire board is very open to working with residents to come up with a sensible solution that works for all. I hope you'll use that avenue to work toward a satisfactory solution. B,

I definitely refer people to Seth’s blog, and will continue to do so. When the story first broke about the proposed boundary changes, his site was the only place that had the details — as one WOB reader correctly stated, the information wasn’t even on the School District’s own website! It wasn’t until a couple of days later that it was finally posted. I can’t expect you to know all of this, but Seth really went out his way to make sure the info got out to as many people as soon as possible — this blog is just one way to do that. He put together an elaborate email that outlined the many changes that the entire board proposed (not just him.)

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know the intimate details of how these proposed boundary changes will impact everyone, especially those of you in Devonshire Canyon. We’re in the BA school district, but my kids are now in the middle school/high school phase, so I’m even one more step removed from this. But I do know that the board has worked very hard the past few years to resolve the recurring over-enrollment issues, with the intent of ensuring that the kids got to go to their school of choice. Boundary changes aren’t something new — I think they’ve always been a last resort if the Board couldn’t resolve over-enrollment through normal means. This past year, that exact thing happened with White Oaks.

From what I have heard and discussed with others, it sounds like Dr. Baker and the entire board is very open to working with residents to come up with a sensible solution that works for all. I hope you’ll use that avenue to work toward a satisfactory solution.

]]> By: Seth http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2009/07/08/san-carlos-school-district-set-to-change-school-boundaries/#comment-10444 Seth Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:00:54 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=3788#comment-10444 Well, I must say that am shocked and saddened that B, you must make it personal. We can choose to disagree on the merits of an idea, or even a philosophy, but to make it about me is frankly silly and petty. All five board members agreed in the November meeting to the preliminary plan that Dr. Baker proposed, so I don't know how one could characterize this as "my" plan. As a reminder, this plan was developed by a subcommittee which included parents, teachers, school secretaries, and other staff, and had representatives from each school. That group unanimously approved the proposal which was brought before us. You absolutely have the right to disagree with it and present any concerns, but it's unfortunate that the dialog has degraded to this. I would like to remind folks that insulting people whom you are trying to advocate is generally not the best technique. Well, I must say that am shocked and saddened that B, you must make it personal. We can choose to disagree on the merits of an idea, or even a philosophy, but to make it about me is frankly silly and petty. All five board members agreed in the November meeting to the preliminary plan that Dr. Baker proposed, so I don’t know how one could characterize this as “my” plan. As a reminder, this plan was developed by a subcommittee which included parents, teachers, school secretaries, and other staff, and had representatives from each school. That group unanimously approved the proposal which was brought before us. You absolutely have the right to disagree with it and present any concerns, but it’s unfortunate that the dialog has degraded to this. I would like to remind folks that insulting people whom you are trying to advocate is generally not the best technique.

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