June 21, 2003

Dennis Hawkins, President                   Manny Barbera, Superintendent                                  
Oak Grove Elementary School District        Oak Grove School District

Colleen B. Wilcox.  Ph.D.                    Councilman Forrest Williams
County Superintendent of Schools              City of San Jose

Dear Representatives:

A major construction program is underway at Glider School to add 14 modular unit (300 new students), built a large parking lot and increases in school staff. This completely changes the character of our quite, tree-lined, school and neighborhood.

We are very concerned and displeased with this project. Few of our neighborhood residents knew of this major project, other then a recent flyer left on our doorstep that indicated construction was going to take place beginning in June. This flyer did not indicate the scope and magnitude of the project.

We demand that this project be immediately halted. We want an opportunity to have input into the project design and explore other options. We request a meeting as soon as possible at the Glider School to hear our grievances.

Adding fourteen modular units and a large parking lot in what was formerly the school play area will rob our neighborhood children of outdoor play area and recreational activity. (There is increasing concern of child obesity and lack of childhood exercise.) With new modular units and expanded parking replacing the play area where will recreational activity occur? What is the logic and rationale here?

Furthermore, are not schools undergoing tremendous budget shortfalls and deficits? What is the cost of this major undertaking? (It has to be in the hundreds of thousands.) I realize that some schools shut down because of decrease enrollment, but do we from the Glider School neighborhood have to take the brunt of the closed school reassignments?

Furthermore, who were the school district officials that conceptualized this plan? Who did they consult with? Who did they discuss these plans with? None of the neighborhood residents that I spoke with are cognizant of the plans. Someone should be held accountable for this seemingly poor and costly plan? This is a democratic society. Are not public officials accountable to us? Do we have to resort to the recall ballot to get the attention of our public officials that we need to be informed, advised, and consulted on any significant issues in our community? We are indeed very angry about how our neighborhood is being discombobulated. Please respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention.

Roy Jimenez - 532 Cozy Drive - San Jose, CA (408) 226-6167 [email protected]

cc: San Jose Mercury News