I, like the other members of the Council, have received numerous e-mails from concerned citizens, in effect demanding that we be responsive to their desire to have us provide them with a public high school. I think, unfortunately those folks are unaware of the efforts of this and prior City Council?s efforts going back more than 25 years. I will not take the time now to regurgitate that history, but suffice it to say the Council?s efforts should not be chastised by anyone.
I guess what concerns me more than these folk?s lack of knowledge about the history, is the apparent lack of understanding of the legal separation of authority between the City and the San Mateo Union High School District. We are two separate and distinct governmental jurisdictions, with completely different legal responsibilities, authority, and elected governing boards. Again I will not take the time to attempt to explain all these differences, however I must point out that Foster City has no legal authority to provide public high school education to our young residents.
I would hope that those well-meaning e-mails, directed toward the City Council, were also sent to the elected representatives of the High School District Board. No matter how much the City Council may or may not support the idea of a public high school, the High School Board will be the final arbitrator of whether or not there is a public high school in Foster City.
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