All that's wrong. . .

Misinformation About New Millennium High School

1 — "There is no feasible alternative site." The school district makes the claim, but it isn't true. The Green Valley Rd. site is still the best option; it has state approval, a willing seller and it's still available. And there are other good sites, including Crestveiw off of Freedom Blvd. and the Kato property on Calabasas Rd. Some are marginal farm land and all are closer to urban development and in the direction the city plans to grow. View this map presentation for locations

2 — "No Safety Issues and Stable Soil" From site selection committee comparison chart data on Harkins Slough Rd. site, made a part of the 1998 Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Both statements are incorrect.

3 — "the airport is about two miles north of the high school site." That claim made in the 1998 EIR. (see the text) The site is less than one mile from the airport's main take-off runway. It is located almost entirely within the Traffic Pattern Zone and borders an area "reflecting the historical distribution of accident sites" known as the Inner Turning Zone. (view the graphic) The Airport Land Use Planning Hand Book describes recommendations schools be prohibited in the ITZ (see the text) and recommends against schools in the TPZ unless there is "no feasible altenative." (see the text)

4 — "The site selection committee represented the community." Claim made by District officials. However, the list of participants shows no Latinos, no teachers and few if any parents with students in the district on the committee. The committee was dominated by city and school district officials and by individuals whose primary interest was to keep the school away from Green Valley Rd.

5 — "The high school needs 55 acres." And it will have a football stadium and other amenities. The present plan is to build on approximately 30 acres with no football field, no baseball diamond, no swimming pool and no performing arts center.

6 — "The school will open in the fall of 2003." When District officials make that claim, they know it to be highly unlikely. The current construction Time Line is said by city planners to be "overly optimistic." The list of permits and regulatory requirements (city, county, state, federal) is still very long. A bridge is required; EIRs, appeals, perhaps law suits and a new Coastal Commission amendment. . .

Known Safety and Health Risks

1 — The airport Approval has been granted, based on the assumption that there are no alternatives. It may be the only school in the state to be located so close to critical flight paths. The published flight pattern directs planes next to and over the site at full power take-off. School attorneys claim victory in a law suit over the approval. But a citizen, with no attorney, filed the action; it was late, and it was not considered.

2 —Agriculture operations The site is adjacent to several agricultural operations some of which use the pesticide methyl bromide, a known carcinogen. The district already has five schools impacted by pesticide problems, and teachers and parents are very concerned.

3 — Narrow country roads Sidewalks are planned on only one side of Harkins Slough Rd. leading to the school's driveway. None are planned for Lee Rd., where Gabriel Ramirez-Sanchez was hit by a pick-up truck and killed while walking with friends on a Sunday morning in 1994.

4 — Peat Bogs and Sloughs Most people don't consider these to be dangerous, but 17 year-old Antonio Corona drowned in Struve Slough in 1995 while swimming with his family and friends. He was reported to have been drinking.

5 — Other Concerns Close to freeway noise and vehicle emissions; two landfills nearby; the soil is known to be unstable; leaded fuel exhaust from airplanes. Airplane noise will be a distraction; the stench from the adjacent cattle feed lot and a nearby mushroom farm will cause problems. These conditions would cause most communities to reject the site as completely unsuitable.

The Agendas

1 — The City and the tax base The city wanted the school on Harkins Slough Rd. because that property has limited use and will generate little tax revenue. They protect superior sites for commercial and residential use.

2 — The School District and NIMBY The District wants it away from residential neighborhoods to avoid NIMBY political fallout. "Not In My Back Yard" arguments forced the district to abandon the Green Valley Rd. site in 1992.

3 — Aptos Secession Some people seeking to secede from PVUSD want the high school built anywhere. A new high school is a requirement for district reorganization, but their children will not attend.

4 — Close the Airport Groups seeking to close the airport think a school there will hasten the airport's closing.

5 — Green Valley Rd. Some fear that three or four sites on Green Valley Rd. may be reconsidered.

Unanswered Questions

1 — Why did the district abandon sites chosen in 1988? There were three, all on Green Valley Rd., in an area the city wants to grow. They all had state approval, and they are all still available.

2 — Why hasn't the district offered a temporary solution to the overcrowding? There are many possibilities: split sessions, year-round schedule, change 9th graders to jr. high and 6th graders to elementary, use the fairgrounds, return Alianza to high school use. . .

3 — Why doesn't the school district say when they really expect the school to open?

4 — Why don't officials address the cumulative affect of all the safety issues at the site? They remind us of each individual approval, but they don't assess the combined affect of all the risks.

6 — Why would the city council give up the possibility of developing housing west of Highway 1 to put students in such a facility.

7 — Why is the largest population segment so poorly represented in the decision making process that affects the well being of their children? And why are decisions important to the community being made by people who don't live in the community.

See also. . .Comparison of County High Schools