{Letter to the Sun Newspaper 3/18/2009}

Listen to families

Recently, the Colton Joint Unified School District board asked for suggestions in naming its future new high school. By an overwhelming majority, the name submissions favored Grand Terrace High School in tribute to the city that will be home to the new school. It was favored nearly 10-to-1 over Ray Abril High School.
Yet, at its March 12 meeting, the school board voted 6-1 to name the new high school Ray Abril High School, dismissing input from the community as a whole. Mel Albiso, who was running the meeting, allowed a mere 15 minutes of public comment from the many supporters there in favor of the name Grand Terrace High.
The people of Grand Terrace, and Colton residents such as myself, favor the name Grand Terrace High. Based on precedent, the first high school in a city is named after that city. It only makes sense.
The name suggestions from the parents and students should be given greater weight than those who will not attend the new high school.
Character counts, and the school board showed less-than-acceptable character by its recent vote. I recently heard about Joanne Johnson, a volunteer at Grand Terrace senior center. She declined the suggestion that the new Grand Terrace senior center be named after her because she believes the center belongs to the residents it serves. Now that is character that counts.
Well, I challenge Ray Abril to do the same - do the right thing and show he has character that counts, Ray, please urge this school board to overturn the March 12 decision and name this new school Grand Terrace High. If Ray Abril's priority really is the students, he will do so.

PAMELA SILVA MAUNE Colton