We live in an extraordinary time when the winds of change are forcing decisions under extreme uncertainty. We see it on the Federal level and of course on our state level. The choices that must be made are throwing the public onto a virtual roller coaster ride with no end in sight. Where we think we have control over something, we are beginning to exhibit an unreasonable approach to the dilemma that we face.
Case in point: For the past several months we have been presented with the idea that a problem exists with school overcrowding in Foster City. One and only one option has been the focus of discussion to cure this problem. I’ve tried to understand this single solution approach as I sit on the Council sub-committee to work with the School District as they determine a project plan. However, this single solution approach goes against my better judgment.
I am troubled that we are putting our energy into a narrowly scoped plan that may or may not be in the best interest of the community. I would like to see another option being considered simultaneously in the event that the first option does not work. I think we need other solutions as well so that this issue does not become that roller coaster ride of uncertainty for everyone.
The idea of a new school was put before the parents before any consideration of its feasibility was researched. In my opinion, some of the rhetoric about having a 4th school would bring one to interpret that perhaps there is not an interest in solving the problem. Instead it is doing two things: making parents afraid of the problem and finding someone to blame if a new school is not built.
You gather a bunch of statistics such as how many children should be in a school by virtue of students per acre (when they are playing outside), the importance of 20-1 ratios and you remind people of the time that Foster City’s plan was to have a school in each neighborhood with two middle schools and a high school and you tell them about the value of education. However, this isn’t a debate about the value of education. It is looking hard and carefully at a solution to a problem that didn’t just happen overnight. It is an issue that has certainly been brewing and will need to be addressed for the long term.
What we need to do is solve the problem of classroom space to house the additional students and have enough computer labs and library space for them. This is what we need to focus on. This problem needs to be solved reasonably and rationally for our children’s future and it shouldn’t be rushed. What happens in a few years when Bowditch is full and another middle school is needed? Do we look to another park space or maybe look at eminent domain and knock down a few houses so we can build something that someone said was supposed to be.
The idea is absurd and I think everyone would agree. We must remind ourselves of why Foster City is such a popular place in which to live. It’s because we are well organized and fiscally well managed. We provide a recreational backdrop that offers open space and leisure activities for all ages and a good balance of commercial and residential properties. The land that belongs to the city has been well planned for generations to come. With 4 square miles to use, I think we’ve done an excellent job in land planning.
I am wondering why we are not looking at the existing space at the current school sites. With the budget constraints everyone is facing, it would seem to me that in order to be fiscally prudent we should look at the existing school sites for possible answers. Currently, Foster City School is being prepared for modernization. Money from Measure L is being used for this project as modernization was being planned a year ago.
I would like to suggest that the money can be better spent by knocking down some of the buildings and building up to add classrooms. By building up, the needed yard space can be preserved for play time. Building up is a way to use existing space effectively, as there isn’t any more land on which to build out. Scheduling of recess and lunch periods can be arranged so that the number of students per acre while playing outside can be preserved.
Some will ask about the traffic. Again, scheduling and personal responsibility can overcome this potential problem. I would also like to suggest looking at Bowditch. It is 12 acres of land that can be better utilized if the current building design were altered. Also, there is the idea of K-8th grades at all 4 existing sites.
These are a few of my ideas and I’m sure members of the public have others to offer. In my opinion, we should not be wasting time focusing on one solution. While one option is being researched, another should be waiting in the wings in the event the first one does not pan out. This is one decision that must be appropriately planned. There is no room for uncertainty when it comes to our children.
I would appreciate hearing from the public about their ideas. Please contact me about this and other issues by emailing me at lkoelling@fostercity.org.
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