HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 9Final – Approved May 16, 2016
Los Altos Hills Education Committee Meeting
Regular Meeting
March 9, 2016
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by the Chair, Ms. Rose.
● Present were committee members (quorum = 5) Kay Randall, Andrea Ängquist,
Heather Rose, Karen Schuster, and Sunita Sethi.
● John Radford was present as the council liaison.
● Guests present, Kjell Karlsson.
2. Survey Results, top issues:
A. Community Center: Not enough support for a community center but community
emergency preparedness was a priority.
B. Traffic Safety: Speeding is a concern. During the budget meeting in June 1
additional patrol sheriff will be add to the budget at a cost of $380,000/year.
C. Building Permits: The survey indicated that there were issues. The question did
not identify what the issues were.
3. Routes to school, Gardner Bullis:
● Still no crossing guard at Gardner Bullis School.
● Speed table was recommended by the Ad-Hoc Committee on the crossing.
● Data was taken by Town to measure the speed on Fremont Road in front of the
school and the speed does not exceed, on average, about 33 mph for the
majority of traffic (80% percentile). Speed limit is 25 mph.
4. PAUSD:
● LAHS residents in PAUSD to remain assigned to Nixon Elementary grades K-5.
PAUSD BOE approved three portable unit classrooms for Nixon to accommodate
anticipated enrollment growth in 2017.
● Keep a watch for new housing units approved on Stanford lands. Due to the high
cost of housing in Palo Alto and surrounding areas, Stanford struggles to provide
affordable housing for its graduate students and professors. Enrollment growth
forecasted for PAUSD elementary schools, in general, is expected to decline in
K-5 enrollments. This implies PAUSD is unlikely to open a new elementary
school. However, if Stanford adds another large development similar to the one
to be populated in 2017, LAH students could again be considered for school
district boundary reassignment away from Nixon to other PAUSD school or
schools.
● Some LAH residents buy homes in PAUSD to be in the Nixon school district, not
just Gunn HS.
Final – Approved May 16, 2016
5. Progress on LASD 10th School site and district funding:
● Line of credit was authorized on future enrollment growth. Not spent on
maintenance or 10th site.
● LASD/LA Public Lands subcommittee update. 3 options being considered:
a. Buy new land
b. Work with City of Los Altos to share Hillview site
Los Altos City Council voted not to offer this option
c. Use existing LASD land
6. Rideshare for LAH’s 7-12 grade LASD/MVLA students investigation:
● See attachment for breakdown of Shuttle Services Assessment Survey by a
private citizen. This survey was focused on moving students of middle school
and high school ages from their homes to school and back. Not to be confused
with the discussions for a senior (age 50+) shuttle being requested for LAH
residents. The committee is looking for help from the council to approach LASD
and MVLA to support a shuttle. A council initiated item that addresses a shuttle
for students will be placed on the agenda for the April meeting. A shuttle service
may increase property value. Shuttle stops should include improving city paths
and a rain shelter.
● Data points: what other rideshare options are on the market? Who contracts with
bus service and driver.
● Sunita Sethi moved to make a motion to draft a letter requesting council to
approach LASD and MVLA to support a school shuttle program paid for by
participating Los Altos Hills families. Duly seconded. Motion carries unanimously.
7. Enrollment Report:
● We are a committee that brings issues from the split school districts that impact
our citizens in Los Altos Hills.
8. Our Town Article ideas:
● History of Education article [Heather offered]
● Ridesharing options available in Los Altos Hills [no takers]
9. Yearly presentation to council is at the City Council Meeting scheduled for June, 2016.
There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.