Schools Roundup
The Los Altos School District recently released an updated developer fee justification study by Burke Consulting, which outlines the potential impact commercial, industrial and residential growth could have on the school district.
The report shows that 648 additional housing units are projected to be constructed within the district's boundaries by 2007, according to information based on the growth rate provided by the Association of Bay Area Governments. The estimated cost to provide new elementary school facilities for new students is $1.50 per square foot of residential development, 20 cents short of the maximum amount the district can currently collect under state law. This means new construction could cost the district $2.9 million in facilities costs by 2007, yet generate only $2.5 million in funds to the district.
According to the report, the district's existing student capacity is 2,921. This year's enrollment of 3,618 shows that the district is operating at 124 percent of its capacity. Enrollment projections are expected to increase to 4,443 by 2007, according to the report.
Under state law, school districts can assess limited fees on new residential, commercial and industrial construction. The Los Altos School District is currently able to collect $1.29 per square foot on residential development and a maximum of 21 cents per commercial development.
SF's Olympic-size pool nears completion
A 30-member construction crew finished plastering the floor of St. Francis High School's new Olympic-size pool last week in preparation for its dedication Oct. 25. The 50-meter pool holds 715,185 gallons of water and will be able to support concurrent activities including swimming, diving and water polo, a school spokeswoman said.
Begun last spring, the pool is part of the school's $2 million Holy Cross Aquatic Center that will include 4,000 square feet of buildings when finished.
School officials said the pool could also accomodate kayaking, scuba training, under water hockey and swimming lessons.
New principal at King's Academy
Steve Truesdell will take the reins at King's Academy in Sunnyvale this school year as principal. He will succeed Jack McBirney, who retired after spending more than 30 years in Christian school education.
Truesdell comes to the Christian school after a 30-year career at the Palo Alto School District where he served as a varsity football coach, a teacher, principal of a continuation school and most recently as an administrator at Gunn High School. Truesdell also served at West Point during the Vietnam War,
Truesdell said he believes, as a teacher, he has the repsonsiblity to "light the fire" within young people and encourage them to want to learn.
Blach students take cover at lunch
Students at Blach Junior High in Los Altos can expect to eat under a covered lunch area this year. The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees recently approved the installation of a canvas cover that will stretch across half of the school's lunch area.
The cover will be similar to the one in front of Draeger's Market in downtown Los Altos. Poles will support the cover, so it will stand independent from any surrounding buildings. Parents proposing the idea said the permanent cover could be relocated if necessary.
The cover, which will be ordered from Palo Alto Awning, will cost about $30,000 and take about 14 weeks to order and install.
The Parent-Teacher Association will pay the full cost of the project with funds raised over the past three years.