News

Pleasanton school board weighs new elementary school options

Demographer calls for 2 elementary schools on city's north, east sides where new developments are planned

The Pleasanton school board decided not to decide whether to build new schools for an expected influx of new students in the future, but did commit to asking for land and, if possible, a building as part of expected development in East Pleasanton.

The board heard an update Tuesday night from Davis Demographics & Planning in which scenarios were outlined for two elementary schools: one on the north side and another on the east, where new development is planned.

The district's goal is to keep student populations at elementary schools between 600 and 700 students.

According to a report by Isaac Johnson of DDG, "the district is currently at its desired average elementary enrollment of 700 students and is projected to remain within reason to this goal through at least 2017 but by 2018 another elementary school will be needed in the Northwest portion of the District."

Adding a 10th elementary would drop the population at schools. The number of students at Lydiksen would go from 700 to 559, Donlon would drop from 921 to 568 and from 831 to 618 at Fairlands.

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Johnson told the board that planning for a 10th elementary school should begin no later than a year from now. The report also calls for an 11th school to be built in order to handle new homes and apartments that could be built as part of the East Pleasanton Specific Plan, which could bring an additional 400 or more elementary-age students to the city.

The board was reluctant to make a firm commitment, with members asking about a variety of alternatives ranging from creating a magnet or charter school that would draw students from across the district, to using property it already owns at and redrawing school boundaries.

Board Member Chris Grant said he'd be hesitant to build a new school with a smaller population than other elementaries.

"It needs to work for us as a district to operate those school efficiently," Grant said. "Those are dollars we could invest in improvements."

He also said the district would face a challenge in building a new school in the north, because the district doesn't own property there.

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Should the district decide to build a new school, Board President Jeff Bowser said it's important for it to be in an area that kids could walk or bike to, and one that's also easily accessible through traffic.

Board Member Valerie Arkin said the district could also consider swapping land from the site it already owns, known as the Neal School site, or swapping land where the administration offices and Village High School sit.

Bowser noted the district could also consider building a new administration building -- or having one built -- at a parcel donated by developers as part of the East Pleasanton Specific Plan.

Regardless of where the 10th school would be built, the district wants whoever develops the land on the east side to make a commitment to the district.

"We'd really like the developer to give us the land, and talking about a wish list, build the school," said Board Member Joan Laursen.

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Pleasanton school board weighs new elementary school options

Demographer calls for 2 elementary schools on city's north, east sides where new developments are planned

by Glenn Wohltmann / Pleasanton Weekly

Uploaded: Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 7:49 am
Updated: Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 6:48 am

The Pleasanton school board decided not to decide whether to build new schools for an expected influx of new students in the future, but did commit to asking for land and, if possible, a building as part of expected development in East Pleasanton.

The board heard an update Tuesday night from Davis Demographics & Planning in which scenarios were outlined for two elementary schools: one on the north side and another on the east, where new development is planned.

The district's goal is to keep student populations at elementary schools between 600 and 700 students.

According to a report by Isaac Johnson of DDG, "the district is currently at its desired average elementary enrollment of 700 students and is projected to remain within reason to this goal through at least 2017 but by 2018 another elementary school will be needed in the Northwest portion of the District."

Adding a 10th elementary would drop the population at schools. The number of students at Lydiksen would go from 700 to 559, Donlon would drop from 921 to 568 and from 831 to 618 at Fairlands.

Johnson told the board that planning for a 10th elementary school should begin no later than a year from now. The report also calls for an 11th school to be built in order to handle new homes and apartments that could be built as part of the East Pleasanton Specific Plan, which could bring an additional 400 or more elementary-age students to the city.

The board was reluctant to make a firm commitment, with members asking about a variety of alternatives ranging from creating a magnet or charter school that would draw students from across the district, to using property it already owns at and redrawing school boundaries.

Board Member Chris Grant said he'd be hesitant to build a new school with a smaller population than other elementaries.

"It needs to work for us as a district to operate those school efficiently," Grant said. "Those are dollars we could invest in improvements."

He also said the district would face a challenge in building a new school in the north, because the district doesn't own property there.

Should the district decide to build a new school, Board President Jeff Bowser said it's important for it to be in an area that kids could walk or bike to, and one that's also easily accessible through traffic.

Board Member Valerie Arkin said the district could also consider swapping land from the site it already owns, known as the Neal School site, or swapping land where the administration offices and Village High School sit.

Bowser noted the district could also consider building a new administration building -- or having one built -- at a parcel donated by developers as part of the East Pleasanton Specific Plan.

Regardless of where the 10th school would be built, the district wants whoever develops the land on the east side to make a commitment to the district.

"We'd really like the developer to give us the land, and talking about a wish list, build the school," said Board Member Joan Laursen.

Comments

Cholo
Livermore
on Sep 12, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Cholo, Livermore
on Sep 12, 2013 at 6:02 pm

I can't imagine anybody donating land and also paying the building costs for a new school...are you crazy?

If it was my land, I would make a reasonable profit. Folks like to talk about making a profit but when it comes to a landowner wanting to make a reasonable profit, many of you morph into weasels!

If it was my land, I'd turn it into swampland and raise mosquitos.


Jack
Downtown
on Sep 12, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Jack, Downtown
on Sep 12, 2013 at 10:36 pm

The last time a developer agreed to build the district a school, all he got for his efforts was sued! And sued personally at that! For the record, the school district lost the suits, and a lot of money in the process, and is still looking for another elementary school.


Maggie
Valencia
on Sep 13, 2013 at 10:59 am
Maggie, Valencia
on Sep 13, 2013 at 10:59 am

"decided not to decide"...who writes these articles?


Parent
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Sep 13, 2013 at 11:06 am
Parent, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Sep 13, 2013 at 11:06 am

All this effort on the elementary schools and no talk at all of the middle and high schools. What are the plans for those school levels? Those new students will move kn to the upper grades. It's a mess that all started when they didn't build the Neal school.


Mark
Ruby Hill
on Sep 13, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Mark, Ruby Hill
on Sep 13, 2013 at 4:51 pm

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)


MrsJjhh
Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Sep 13, 2013 at 5:31 pm
MrsJjhh, Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Sep 13, 2013 at 5:31 pm

>> "decided not to decide"...who writes these articles? <<

I thought that the repetition was intentional and light-hearted. Indeed, I rather enjoyed it!


The time is now
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Sep 20, 2013 at 4:00 am
The time is now, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Sep 20, 2013 at 4:00 am

Has the School Board factored in the expected increase in pension costs that will soon impact the budget - doubtful. These incresed pension costs shoud NOT continue to be ignored just because the CTA and state want to defer the debt. Parents need to understand how the struggling teachers pension system will soon impact their childrens education.

There's only so much money to go around, and that includes tax increases to fund education. But the bottom line is those increased education dollars will only help to fund thr teachers retirement system. Is that bad? Not on the surface.


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