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Published on 02/15/1999 All articles from this issue

Oak School play structure remodel put on hold

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Students at Oak School may have to wait a while longer to enjoy their new play structure. The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees opted to postpone a go-ahead for the remodel of the school's play structure at their regular meeting Feb. 8 after neighborhood residents voiced concern about the height and placement of the proposed playground piece.

The proposed structure would be added to a portion of the existing structure that the Parent-Teacher Association helped to install about seven years ago on the west side of the school's yard. Plans for the new addition include two 6-foot covered platforms, slides and an assortment of climbing pieces. The structure would be placed 40 feet from the closest neighbor under the PTA's proposal.

The proposed structure does not violate any setback ordinances, and the district is not required to notify neighbors of its construction. The district, however, notified neighbors as part its new policy to seek input from local residents.

"We owe it to neighbors to see if we can do it better," said board member Terri Sachs.

The board recommended that parents consult with the manufacturer, Ross Recreation, to explore other design and placement options. The board agreed to hold an emergency meeting, if necessary, to study the updated plans in order to keep the project within its timeline.

Parents had hoped to install the new structure in April during spring break, said parent Carl Hess.

Parents have worked with school officials for the past year to upgrade Oak's structure, which they say is unsafe and inadequate for the school's current enrollment.

Parent Debbie Skelton said the structure that the PTA is adding onto was initially built to accommodate the school's 280 students. About 500 students share the structure today in alternating shifts, she said.

"Everyday about a handful of kids ask me, 'Is this my day?' We want kids to feel like they can use the equipment on a daily basis," Skelton said.

The construction, spacing and height of some pieces of the oldest structure do not meet current state safety standards and must be completely replaced, she said.

The PTA had planned to install the proposed addition as a second phase of the playground upgrade when the first structure was put in place, Skelton said.

Through read-a-thons, Oak students raised $15,000 to put toward the $70,000 project, Skelton said. The PTA will contribute the remaining cost, she said.

"I think the board's request is reasonable," Skelton said. "We are all working for the same thing."

The board is scheduled to develop uniform guidelines at the regular meeting March 15 to establish its role in assisting schools with playground upgrades and other projects.