Tonight is the Board Meeting
5:30pm
Wear your Blue!!!
I hope to see everyone there tonight.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
{Another Meeting that should be Attended}
Colton Joint Unified School District
MEASURE B CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING
A G E N D A
Wednesday, April 15, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
CJUSD Board Room
851 South Mt. Vernon, Colton, CA
1. CALL TO ORDER –
Dan Flores – Chair (1) _____
Larry Edmundson – Chair (2) _____
Belinda Madrigal – *Co-Chair _____
Lynn Hooker - *Secretary _____
William Hussey _____
Amos Isaac, Ph.D. _____
Jesse Rasso, Sr. _____
Jack B. Russell _____
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 21, 2009, Meeting.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. OLD BUSINESS
Projects Update – Alice Grundman
Status of Ray Abril High School & Other Modernization Projects
5. NEW BUSINESS
Member Term Limits, expiration – Jesse Rasso Sr.
Member – I.D. Badges - Jesse Rasso Sr.
Open discussion: Weekend Groundbreaking – Lynn Hooker
Address New Name of H.S. #3 – Belinda Madrigal
Naming issue : new high school Larry Edmundson
6. FINANCIAL REPORT – Alice Grundman
7. MEMBER COMMENT
8. NEXT MEETING - (Quarterly):
July 15, 2009
9. ADJOURN
MEASURE B CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING
A G E N D A
Wednesday, April 15, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
CJUSD Board Room
851 South Mt. Vernon, Colton, CA
1. CALL TO ORDER –
Dan Flores – Chair (1) _____
Larry Edmundson – Chair (2) _____
Belinda Madrigal – *Co-Chair _____
Lynn Hooker - *Secretary _____
William Hussey _____
Amos Isaac, Ph.D. _____
Jesse Rasso, Sr. _____
Jack B. Russell _____
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 21, 2009, Meeting.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. OLD BUSINESS
Projects Update – Alice Grundman
Status of Ray Abril High School & Other Modernization Projects
5. NEW BUSINESS
Member Term Limits, expiration – Jesse Rasso Sr.
Member – I.D. Badges - Jesse Rasso Sr.
Open discussion: Weekend Groundbreaking – Lynn Hooker
Address New Name of H.S. #3 – Belinda Madrigal
Naming issue : new high school Larry Edmundson
6. FINANCIAL REPORT – Alice Grundman
7. MEMBER COMMENT
8. NEXT MEETING - (Quarterly):
July 15, 2009
9. ADJOURN
{The Sun 4/9/2009}
Decline the offer
In light of all the letters, comments and opinions that have been submitted about the naming of Colton Joint Unified School District's newest high school, one person, group or family that appears to have remained silent is the name in question: Ray Abril Jr.
Why have we not heard from Ray himself or a relative?
How about it, Abril family? Why not do the right thing by both the citizens of Colton and Grand Terrace and renounce, relinquish and/or otherwise decline the "prestigious" offer of a high school being named in your honor? I'm sure that if you are the "outstanding" and "honorable" former school board member that you are so often called, you will do the "outstanding" and "honorable" thing by stating publicly that the newest high school be named by its proper name of Grand Terrace High School.
Let's give it up for the Abrils for modestly and humbly declining the offer of a high school named after him or them. We all know that you will do the right thing.
STEPHANIE CASTILLO
San Bernardino
In light of all the letters, comments and opinions that have been submitted about the naming of Colton Joint Unified School District's newest high school, one person, group or family that appears to have remained silent is the name in question: Ray Abril Jr.
Why have we not heard from Ray himself or a relative?
How about it, Abril family? Why not do the right thing by both the citizens of Colton and Grand Terrace and renounce, relinquish and/or otherwise decline the "prestigious" offer of a high school being named in your honor? I'm sure that if you are the "outstanding" and "honorable" former school board member that you are so often called, you will do the "outstanding" and "honorable" thing by stating publicly that the newest high school be named by its proper name of Grand Terrace High School.
Let's give it up for the Abrils for modestly and humbly declining the offer of a high school named after him or them. We all know that you will do the right thing.
STEPHANIE CASTILLO
San Bernardino
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
{Emails and Letters}
I have noticed that there haven't been any letters in the newspapers in the past few days. Please Please send letters to our local newspapers. The school Board doesn't like to see letters in the newspapers. We should be bombarding them with letters.
E-mails are another way to keep the pressure up. On the right I have posted the School Boards e-mail addresses. Please send them emails as many as possible. If you do email them please keep track of when you sent them and if you got a response or not. We need to do this so that we can use it later if we need to. So far they have not been answering anyone's emails and this does not look good.
E-mails are another way to keep the pressure up. On the right I have posted the School Boards e-mail addresses. Please send them emails as many as possible. If you do email them please keep track of when you sent them and if you got a response or not. We need to do this so that we can use it later if we need to. So far they have not been answering anyone's emails and this does not look good.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
{School Board Meeting}
Thursday April 9th
5:30pm
We need everyone to be there even if you don't plan to speak we need to be there.
Meeting Address:
Student Services Center
851 So. Mt. Vernon Ave
Colton, 92324
Wear Your Blue!
5:30pm
We need everyone to be there even if you don't plan to speak we need to be there.
Meeting Address:
Student Services Center
851 So. Mt. Vernon Ave
Colton, 92324
Wear Your Blue!
Monday, April 6, 2009
{What do you think about this?}
Someone sent this to me and I want to know what everyone thinks. I am very interested.
I will be requesting an exemption from the state STAR testing for my children. The Colton School Board did not listen to the people of Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and Reche Canyon that will send their kids to the new High School. They do not deserve credit for our kids TEST scores. California Education code #60615 allows parents to exempt their kids from the test. Lets see how good Colton School district will do without the scores of Terrace View Elementary (806 API) or Reche Canyon Elementary (791 API) or Grand Terrace Elementary (769 API) or Cooley Ranch Elementary (763 API). Out of the 18 elementary schools in the Colton district they are ranked #1, #3, #4, #5 respectively.
Terrace Hills Middle School is the Highest of the four middle schools with an API score of 678.
The School Board asked our opinion about the name of the new High School but refused to listen to the answer. Now we must resort to other means to make our voice heard.
Here is a sample waiver request:
Dear School Administrator,
I am requesting an exemption for my child______________________ from taking the STAR test this year. Education code 60615 states, “ Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a parent's or guardian's written request to school officials to excuse his or her child from any or all parts of the assessments administered pursuant to this chapter shall be granted.” Please contact me in writing to confirm receipt of this request and inform me where my child will be during the testing time and what instruction will be provided.
Sincerely,
Your name
Address
Phone #
E-mail
cc: Superintendent Jim Downs, The Sun Newspaper, the Press Enterprise=
I will be requesting an exemption from the state STAR testing for my children. The Colton School Board did not listen to the people of Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and Reche Canyon that will send their kids to the new High School. They do not deserve credit for our kids TEST scores. California Education code #60615 allows parents to exempt their kids from the test. Lets see how good Colton School district will do without the scores of Terrace View Elementary (806 API) or Reche Canyon Elementary (791 API) or Grand Terrace Elementary (769 API) or Cooley Ranch Elementary (763 API). Out of the 18 elementary schools in the Colton district they are ranked #1, #3, #4, #5 respectively.
Terrace Hills Middle School is the Highest of the four middle schools with an API score of 678.
The School Board asked our opinion about the name of the new High School but refused to listen to the answer. Now we must resort to other means to make our voice heard.
Here is a sample waiver request:
Dear School Administrator,
I am requesting an exemption for my child______________________ from taking the STAR test this year. Education code 60615 states, “ Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a parent's or guardian's written request to school officials to excuse his or her child from any or all parts of the assessments administered pursuant to this chapter shall be granted.” Please contact me in writing to confirm receipt of this request and inform me where my child will be during the testing time and what instruction will be provided.
Sincerely,
Your name
Address
Phone #
cc: Superintendent Jim Downs, The Sun Newspaper, the Press Enterprise=
{Does anyone want to stand on the corner tonight?}
I am going to try to go at around 5. Is there anyone else that would like to go too?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
{The Sun 4/4/2009}
Protesters disrupt groundbreaking for new school
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
04/04/2009
GRAND TERRACE - Angry residents booed and heckled school district officials at the groundbreaking for the Ray Abril High School on Saturday.
Around 200 people carrying signs, showed up at the site that will soon be transformed into a new school.
Many said they were still angry that the school board decided to name the school Ray Abril High School in honor of a former longtime board member, instead of for the city it will be housed in.
"It just makes sense that the high school would bear the name of the city it is in," said Jill Taylor-Anderson, as she carried a sign that read: For Unity: Colton High, Bloomington High, Grand Terrace High. "Colton residents are proud of Colton and and we are proud of Grand Terrace."
The Saturday protest was part of an ongoing controversy regarding the board's decision to name the $82 million high school, expected to open in September 2011 at Main and Taylor streets, for longtime Colton resident Ray Abril Jr.
In recent months, the Colton Joint Unified School District asked the public to come up with nominations for the new school and 73 names were submitted.
Grand Terrace High School was the winner, with Ray Abril or Ray Abril Jr. High School coming in fourth place.
But at a March meeting, attended by many outraged residents, the
board voted to name the school after Abril.
Despite the obvious disruption, the many officials attending the groundbreaking carried on with business as usual.
District Superintendent James A. Downs described the day as a joyous occasion.
And several board members praised Abril for his contributions to the district and community.
"I am very proud to name this school Ray Abril High School to tie it to a wonderful person who has given many years of service," said board member Frank Ibarra.
Abril also gave a cool and collected presentation, as many in the crowd yelled out "do the right thing Ray."
"I am very proud and humble and see this as a whole Abril family gain," he said.
Not all who stepped up to the podium showed support for the board's decision.
In the past, the Grand Terrace City Council has expressed dismay over the name selection for the school. Mayor Maryetta Ferre again expressed disappointment, before thanking everyone who worked to make it a reality.
At the conclusion of the groundbreaking, protester Wendy Baker tried to give a petition, signed by more than 1,000 residents, and a letter, asking him to reconsider, to Abril.
Abril politely refused to take it, but a family member stepped in and accepted it from Baker.
"We still hope that he will reconsider," said Baker. "If he doesn't we will take the next step, because this is in no way over."
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
04/04/2009
GRAND TERRACE - Angry residents booed and heckled school district officials at the groundbreaking for the Ray Abril High School on Saturday.
Around 200 people carrying signs, showed up at the site that will soon be transformed into a new school.
Many said they were still angry that the school board decided to name the school Ray Abril High School in honor of a former longtime board member, instead of for the city it will be housed in.
"It just makes sense that the high school would bear the name of the city it is in," said Jill Taylor-Anderson, as she carried a sign that read: For Unity: Colton High, Bloomington High, Grand Terrace High. "Colton residents are proud of Colton and and we are proud of Grand Terrace."
The Saturday protest was part of an ongoing controversy regarding the board's decision to name the $82 million high school, expected to open in September 2011 at Main and Taylor streets, for longtime Colton resident Ray Abril Jr.
In recent months, the Colton Joint Unified School District asked the public to come up with nominations for the new school and 73 names were submitted.
Grand Terrace High School was the winner, with Ray Abril or Ray Abril Jr. High School coming in fourth place.
But at a March meeting, attended by many outraged residents, the
board voted to name the school after Abril.
Despite the obvious disruption, the many officials attending the groundbreaking carried on with business as usual.
District Superintendent James A. Downs described the day as a joyous occasion.
And several board members praised Abril for his contributions to the district and community.
"I am very proud to name this school Ray Abril High School to tie it to a wonderful person who has given many years of service," said board member Frank Ibarra.
Abril also gave a cool and collected presentation, as many in the crowd yelled out "do the right thing Ray."
"I am very proud and humble and see this as a whole Abril family gain," he said.
Not all who stepped up to the podium showed support for the board's decision.
In the past, the Grand Terrace City Council has expressed dismay over the name selection for the school. Mayor Maryetta Ferre again expressed disappointment, before thanking everyone who worked to make it a reality.
At the conclusion of the groundbreaking, protester Wendy Baker tried to give a petition, signed by more than 1,000 residents, and a letter, asking him to reconsider, to Abril.
Abril politely refused to take it, but a family member stepped in and accepted it from Baker.
"We still hope that he will reconsider," said Baker. "If he doesn't we will take the next step, because this is in no way over."
{And The Beat Goes On………}
And The Beat Goes On………
Today is yet another sad day in a long string of sad days in San Bernardino politics. What is it about this county that drives us to continue to elect and re-elect these arrogant politicians? The list is as long as your arm, from the Colton City Council to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors…now to the Colton Joint Unified School District. From Jerry Eaves to Ramon Hernandez to Bill Postmus, we continue to pick the wrong people.
The events of today clearly revealed to me that we’ve done it again with the Colton School Board. Now, let me be clear; this IS about the naming of the new Grand Terrace High School after Colton resident Ray Abril; but it’s also about much more. We’ve already covered all the pertinent ground on the high school name. We’ve already established that this school should be named after the city in which it will be built and for the students who will identify the school with the City of Grand Terrace. And, we’ve already established that, as Grand Terrace residents, our wishes and pleas have been completely ignored…even mocked by members of the school board and school district. So why am I writing this? What’s my point? There is more.
Now…back to my point on arrogance. Today I attended the official ground-breaking ceremony for the new Grand Terrace High School. I watched…stunned… as School Board Member Mel Albiso smirked and waved from the podium as Grand Terrace residents expressed their displeasure with this naming decision. I watched…stunned…as the other board members who spoke, completely dismissed the fact that we were upset…that we were even present. I waited patiently for some healing words from Kent Taylor and David Zamora, the Grand Terrace representatives on the school board. Those words were not to come…they did not speak. The argument of the school board is, and has been, that this school is to serve the entire district, not just Grand Terrace. My response to that argument is, “I know we’re not the entire district but aren’t we still a part of the district?” Should we not still be heard?
I watched…stunned…truly saddened…as members of the Abril family waved their sign which, directly counter to Mr. Abril’s claim of humility, stated in bold letters, “IT'S RAY ABRIL HIGH SCHOOL, GET OVER IT!” My sadness deepened when two Abril family members yelled to us, “There is no Grand Terrace High School, and there never will be.” Then they “gave us the finger” as they walked back toward the Abril photo shoot. That was the second time that Grand Terrace residents were given “the finger” at this ceremony. The first was the collective figurative finger given by the members of the Colton Joint Unified School District.
And I felt a great sense of loss for the entire City of Grand Terrace as I stood quietly and watched as Ray Abril and his extended family were photographed with the school board members breaking ground on our new high school. They took from us a moment that was meant to be shared by an entire community…not a single family. This was a moment that has been a dream of many in Grand Terrace and Colton for many years…and it was yanked from our grasp at the last minute by this school board. I guess what I’m not getting is why the school board and Abril family can’t at least understand the reason for our anger and hurt as a community.
Keep on smirking Albiso…keep on smirking. Your day will come and when it does, I’ll be in the front row with a big smirk of my own. This is simply another instance of San Bernardino County politics in play. It’s just more of the same…back-room deal making, coercion, lies, betrayal, and mocking of the public who is to be served. This school board has made it clear, through their words and deeds, that there is nothing we can do about this…that they are in no way accountable to us.
THEY ARE WRONG! I think that, based on these events, a recall is warranted. It’s a long tough climb and, even if we fail to remove anyone from office, we can make them quite uncomfortable. We must remind them that they are indeed accountable to the people…yes, even to Grand Terrace people. This is clearly wrong and we have to do something…they’re daring us to…telling us that we have no voice. Let’s come together and show them some voice. Let’s show them some democracy. If we don’t do something than we are indeed as helpless and weak as the Colton Joint Unified School Board would have us believe that we are.
I will end on the one bright spot of the entire ceremony. When it was her turn to speak, Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre at long last gave us our voice. Looking in the direction of the school board members, she stated how disappointed she was with the school board’s decision to name the high school after an individual. She then turned directly to us and proclaimed in a loud and clear voice that the name should be GRAND TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL. That was a very courageous stand to make in this corrupt county but Mayor Ferre, unlike our school board members, is keenly aware of who elected her… and she has always been aware of what is right and what is wrong.
Brian L. Reinarz
Grand Terrace Resident
Today is yet another sad day in a long string of sad days in San Bernardino politics. What is it about this county that drives us to continue to elect and re-elect these arrogant politicians? The list is as long as your arm, from the Colton City Council to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors…now to the Colton Joint Unified School District. From Jerry Eaves to Ramon Hernandez to Bill Postmus, we continue to pick the wrong people.
The events of today clearly revealed to me that we’ve done it again with the Colton School Board. Now, let me be clear; this IS about the naming of the new Grand Terrace High School after Colton resident Ray Abril; but it’s also about much more. We’ve already covered all the pertinent ground on the high school name. We’ve already established that this school should be named after the city in which it will be built and for the students who will identify the school with the City of Grand Terrace. And, we’ve already established that, as Grand Terrace residents, our wishes and pleas have been completely ignored…even mocked by members of the school board and school district. So why am I writing this? What’s my point? There is more.
Now…back to my point on arrogance. Today I attended the official ground-breaking ceremony for the new Grand Terrace High School. I watched…stunned… as School Board Member Mel Albiso smirked and waved from the podium as Grand Terrace residents expressed their displeasure with this naming decision. I watched…stunned…as the other board members who spoke, completely dismissed the fact that we were upset…that we were even present. I waited patiently for some healing words from Kent Taylor and David Zamora, the Grand Terrace representatives on the school board. Those words were not to come…they did not speak. The argument of the school board is, and has been, that this school is to serve the entire district, not just Grand Terrace. My response to that argument is, “I know we’re not the entire district but aren’t we still a part of the district?” Should we not still be heard?
I watched…stunned…truly saddened…as members of the Abril family waved their sign which, directly counter to Mr. Abril’s claim of humility, stated in bold letters, “IT'S RAY ABRIL HIGH SCHOOL, GET OVER IT!” My sadness deepened when two Abril family members yelled to us, “There is no Grand Terrace High School, and there never will be.” Then they “gave us the finger” as they walked back toward the Abril photo shoot. That was the second time that Grand Terrace residents were given “the finger” at this ceremony. The first was the collective figurative finger given by the members of the Colton Joint Unified School District.
And I felt a great sense of loss for the entire City of Grand Terrace as I stood quietly and watched as Ray Abril and his extended family were photographed with the school board members breaking ground on our new high school. They took from us a moment that was meant to be shared by an entire community…not a single family. This was a moment that has been a dream of many in Grand Terrace and Colton for many years…and it was yanked from our grasp at the last minute by this school board. I guess what I’m not getting is why the school board and Abril family can’t at least understand the reason for our anger and hurt as a community.
Keep on smirking Albiso…keep on smirking. Your day will come and when it does, I’ll be in the front row with a big smirk of my own. This is simply another instance of San Bernardino County politics in play. It’s just more of the same…back-room deal making, coercion, lies, betrayal, and mocking of the public who is to be served. This school board has made it clear, through their words and deeds, that there is nothing we can do about this…that they are in no way accountable to us.
THEY ARE WRONG! I think that, based on these events, a recall is warranted. It’s a long tough climb and, even if we fail to remove anyone from office, we can make them quite uncomfortable. We must remind them that they are indeed accountable to the people…yes, even to Grand Terrace people. This is clearly wrong and we have to do something…they’re daring us to…telling us that we have no voice. Let’s come together and show them some voice. Let’s show them some democracy. If we don’t do something than we are indeed as helpless and weak as the Colton Joint Unified School Board would have us believe that we are.
I will end on the one bright spot of the entire ceremony. When it was her turn to speak, Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre at long last gave us our voice. Looking in the direction of the school board members, she stated how disappointed she was with the school board’s decision to name the high school after an individual. She then turned directly to us and proclaimed in a loud and clear voice that the name should be GRAND TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL. That was a very courageous stand to make in this corrupt county but Mayor Ferre, unlike our school board members, is keenly aware of who elected her… and she has always been aware of what is right and what is wrong.
Brian L. Reinarz
Grand Terrace Resident
Friday, April 3, 2009
{Wear BLUE Show your Support}
MEET AT THE CORNER OF BARTON AND MT.VERNON AT 8:30AM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MARCH TO THE GROUND BREAKING.
We are encouraging everyone to wear BLUE at Saturday's event to show the mass amount of unity for naming the high school GRAND TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL. We think it would make a big impact if we could walk in unison from Barton & Mt. Vernon to the ceremony to be visible to the city and the numerous people still unaware of the new school's name chosen not by residents and taxpayers, but by 6 board members.
PLEASE come out in MASS numbers!!!
If the Colton District & board see 40-50 people they will absolutely not care, nor will the media. PLEASE give up an hour of your time to show how truly important this is for literally generations to come!
We are encouraging everyone to wear BLUE at Saturday's event to show the mass amount of unity for naming the high school GRAND TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL. We think it would make a big impact if we could walk in unison from Barton & Mt. Vernon to the ceremony to be visible to the city and the numerous people still unaware of the new school's name chosen not by residents and taxpayers, but by 6 board members.
PLEASE come out in MASS numbers!!!
If the Colton District & board see 40-50 people they will absolutely not care, nor will the media. PLEASE give up an hour of your time to show how truly important this is for literally generations to come!
{Comment that someone mentioned should be published}
Anonymous said...
Proud Of Grand Terrace I have been arguing for this High school with the CJUSD Board for the past 2 years. I have been positive and upbeat the entire time. But at the March 14th board meeting this entire city was shown nothing but disdain and disrespect. Make no mistake this IS about Grand Terrace VS Colton but that was decided by the CJUSD Board. It is time to take the gloves off, this school board is accountable to the residents of this district and if they are going to ignore our wishes when we have done nothing but support them, then it is time for a change. The city has two school board representatives and we must show these two that if they are not going to represent the voters’ wishes then we must replace them, not tomorrow or next week when they will begin making decisions on the new high school but now so that this high school can represent the community which is going to make it tops in the state. Recall now, Kent Taylor and David Zamora, this is the action that needs to be taken to hold those individuals accountable who ignored the very people who elected them to show fair representation. Isn’t Ray Abril High School actually named after Ray Abril's father??? And when are we going to change the school district logo, because obliviously there is no teamwork and communication, how about jealousy, disrespect and egotism.
April 1, 2009 9:37 AM
Proud Of Grand Terrace I have been arguing for this High school with the CJUSD Board for the past 2 years. I have been positive and upbeat the entire time. But at the March 14th board meeting this entire city was shown nothing but disdain and disrespect. Make no mistake this IS about Grand Terrace VS Colton but that was decided by the CJUSD Board. It is time to take the gloves off, this school board is accountable to the residents of this district and if they are going to ignore our wishes when we have done nothing but support them, then it is time for a change. The city has two school board representatives and we must show these two that if they are not going to represent the voters’ wishes then we must replace them, not tomorrow or next week when they will begin making decisions on the new high school but now so that this high school can represent the community which is going to make it tops in the state. Recall now, Kent Taylor and David Zamora, this is the action that needs to be taken to hold those individuals accountable who ignored the very people who elected them to show fair representation. Isn’t Ray Abril High School actually named after Ray Abril's father??? And when are we going to change the school district logo, because obliviously there is no teamwork and communication, how about jealousy, disrespect and egotism.
April 1, 2009 9:37 AM
{Press Enterprise 4/3/2009}
Name nod clouds planned groundbreaking for Grand Terrace campus
GRAND TERRACE - Decades after the initial rumblings about a planned high school in Grand Terrace, the moment of truth finally has arrived.
The Colton Joint Unified School District plans to host a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for the $75 million campus to be built at Taylor and Main streets.
It is slated to open in fall 2011.
"It's a dream come true to be a part of this high school really coming together," said nine-year trustee Kent Taylor, a Grand Terrace resident.
"If you asked the community members, they'd say, 'The one thing you can do is get that high school done.' "
The district is getting it done, but not without controversy.
The Colton Joint Unified School District plans to host a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for the planned Ray Abril High School, shown here in an artist's rendering, in Grand Terrace.
On March 12, the school board voted 5-1 to name the campus Ray Abril High School, after a former trustee who served for 28 years.
That decision came over the objections of some residents who strongly favored the name Grand Terrace High School.
The district asked residents for input.
Of the 365 nominations received, 124 favored Grand Terrace High. Ray Abril or Ray Abril Jr. received 17 votes.
Taylor said those tallies don't reflect the informal votes he and other board members received from people on the street.
Residents opposed to the board's action said they feel like they were asked to weigh in but then ignored.
Taylor said the call for suggestions was important for gathering names, so that the district could see what ideas were out there.
He voted for Abril because he felt the school should be named for a district elder who made many contributions, Taylor said.
Now, it's time to unite and look ahead at what the school will mean to students, he said.
That won't be easy for some.
Joan Winchester, who has lived in Grand Terrace since 1973, said she and other residents plan to keep fighting.
It's not one person who makes Grand Terrace but the community of volunteers willing to pitch in without accolades, she said.
"We deserve to have our high school named Grand Terrace," Winchester said. "It's unconscionable that they would do something like this."
Abril said he did not lobby for the recognition but is grateful for it.
"It's just a true honor to have that happen to an individual such as I," he said. "It's an honor for the entire Abril family."
The 76-year-old south Colton native still lives in the home his father bought in 1934.
The Colton High alumnus, whose wife, Hortensia, died about five months ago, was elected to the school board in 1973.
He served as president six years and clerk 13 years.
He retired in 2001.
Of the discord over the naming, he said he respects the board's decision.
Roy Nix, a longtime school volunteer and 42-year Grand Terrace resident, said he has been friends with Abril for 40 years.
With any other school, Nix said he could support honoring Abril, but the city's first high school should be named Grand Terrace because it means so much to sports teams and the students, he said.
He said he plans to stay home Saturday.
"The best message we can give them is to boycott," Nix said.
"There is no question they can change it, but we can't make them change it."
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry and the Grand Terrace City Council sent letters to the school board asking that they reconsider.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre, who called Abril "a really fine man," said she has heard from several people upset about the naming.
Still, the groundbreaking is cause to celebrate, Ferre said.
"It's a joyous occasion," she said. "It's taken a very long time to get to this moment."
Reach Melanie C. Johnson at 951-368-9489 or mjohnson@PE.com
CEREMONY
The Colton Joint Unified School District will break ground in Grand Terrace for its third comprehensive high school, to be named for Ray Abril Jr., a 28-year school board veteran.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Main Street, east of Taylor Street
GRAND TERRACE - Decades after the initial rumblings about a planned high school in Grand Terrace, the moment of truth finally has arrived.
The Colton Joint Unified School District plans to host a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for the $75 million campus to be built at Taylor and Main streets.
It is slated to open in fall 2011.
"It's a dream come true to be a part of this high school really coming together," said nine-year trustee Kent Taylor, a Grand Terrace resident.
"If you asked the community members, they'd say, 'The one thing you can do is get that high school done.' "
The district is getting it done, but not without controversy.
The Colton Joint Unified School District plans to host a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for the planned Ray Abril High School, shown here in an artist's rendering, in Grand Terrace.
On March 12, the school board voted 5-1 to name the campus Ray Abril High School, after a former trustee who served for 28 years.
That decision came over the objections of some residents who strongly favored the name Grand Terrace High School.
The district asked residents for input.
Of the 365 nominations received, 124 favored Grand Terrace High. Ray Abril or Ray Abril Jr. received 17 votes.
Taylor said those tallies don't reflect the informal votes he and other board members received from people on the street.
Residents opposed to the board's action said they feel like they were asked to weigh in but then ignored.
Taylor said the call for suggestions was important for gathering names, so that the district could see what ideas were out there.
He voted for Abril because he felt the school should be named for a district elder who made many contributions, Taylor said.
Now, it's time to unite and look ahead at what the school will mean to students, he said.
That won't be easy for some.
Joan Winchester, who has lived in Grand Terrace since 1973, said she and other residents plan to keep fighting.
It's not one person who makes Grand Terrace but the community of volunteers willing to pitch in without accolades, she said.
"We deserve to have our high school named Grand Terrace," Winchester said. "It's unconscionable that they would do something like this."
Abril said he did not lobby for the recognition but is grateful for it.
"It's just a true honor to have that happen to an individual such as I," he said. "It's an honor for the entire Abril family."
The 76-year-old south Colton native still lives in the home his father bought in 1934.
The Colton High alumnus, whose wife, Hortensia, died about five months ago, was elected to the school board in 1973.
He served as president six years and clerk 13 years.
He retired in 2001.
Of the discord over the naming, he said he respects the board's decision.
Roy Nix, a longtime school volunteer and 42-year Grand Terrace resident, said he has been friends with Abril for 40 years.
With any other school, Nix said he could support honoring Abril, but the city's first high school should be named Grand Terrace because it means so much to sports teams and the students, he said.
He said he plans to stay home Saturday.
"The best message we can give them is to boycott," Nix said.
"There is no question they can change it, but we can't make them change it."
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry and the Grand Terrace City Council sent letters to the school board asking that they reconsider.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre, who called Abril "a really fine man," said she has heard from several people upset about the naming.
Still, the groundbreaking is cause to celebrate, Ferre said.
"It's a joyous occasion," she said. "It's taken a very long time to get to this moment."
Reach Melanie C. Johnson at 951-368-9489 or mjohnson@PE.com
CEREMONY
The Colton Joint Unified School District will break ground in Grand Terrace for its third comprehensive high school, to be named for Ray Abril Jr., a 28-year school board veteran.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Main Street, east of Taylor Street
Thursday, April 2, 2009
{The Sun 3/31/2009}
Fought for school
Recently, the city of Grand Terrace had a chance to name two new buildings. The first was to name our new senior center. Some suggested that it be named after the lady who has run the existing facility, without compensation, for 20 years.
She denied the honor with grace and class because she felt the center belonged to the city of Grand Terrace and, thus, it was named the Grand Terrace Senior Center.
Then, there was a vote to name the recently approved high school in Grand Terrace.
The Colton Joint Unified School District Board voted to name the Grand Terrace high school after a retired board member.
The city of Grand Terrace has fought for a high school for years and would have loved to have the school named Grand Terrace High School. This would let others know that we have our own high school and it would have given us the privilege to have it named after our city like the first high schools in Colton, Bloomington, San Bernardino, Redlands, Yucaipa, et al.
Understandably, the board would like to honor a retired board member, but couldn't the board name the gymnasium, administration building or a football field after this person?
BETTY TRIMBLE
Grand Terrace
Recently, the city of Grand Terrace had a chance to name two new buildings. The first was to name our new senior center. Some suggested that it be named after the lady who has run the existing facility, without compensation, for 20 years.
She denied the honor with grace and class because she felt the center belonged to the city of Grand Terrace and, thus, it was named the Grand Terrace Senior Center.
Then, there was a vote to name the recently approved high school in Grand Terrace.
The Colton Joint Unified School District Board voted to name the Grand Terrace high school after a retired board member.
The city of Grand Terrace has fought for a high school for years and would have loved to have the school named Grand Terrace High School. This would let others know that we have our own high school and it would have given us the privilege to have it named after our city like the first high schools in Colton, Bloomington, San Bernardino, Redlands, Yucaipa, et al.
Understandably, the board would like to honor a retired board member, but couldn't the board name the gymnasium, administration building or a football field after this person?
BETTY TRIMBLE
Grand Terrace
{The Sun 3/31/2009}
Out of line
03/31/2009
Overwhelmingly, the residents of Grand Terrace, Colton and even The Sun newspaper have made their opinions very clear.
The Colton Joint Unified School District board members, in their arrogance, have ignored the voices of the very people who put them in office by voting to name the new high school after Ray Abril Jr. instead of the obvious choice, Grand Terrace High School.
When the funding for the school is needed, who gets bill? The taxpayers. But when it comes to naming the school, residents' opinions are cast aside and the school board does whatever it pleases.
All I can say to every voter is they should remember the names of those board members and clean house when the next election comes around. The board members are obviously self-serving and have totally forgotten who allowed them the positions they now hold.
GARY B. LEIBELT
Colton
03/31/2009
Overwhelmingly, the residents of Grand Terrace, Colton and even The Sun newspaper have made their opinions very clear.
The Colton Joint Unified School District board members, in their arrogance, have ignored the voices of the very people who put them in office by voting to name the new high school after Ray Abril Jr. instead of the obvious choice, Grand Terrace High School.
When the funding for the school is needed, who gets bill? The taxpayers. But when it comes to naming the school, residents' opinions are cast aside and the school board does whatever it pleases.
All I can say to every voter is they should remember the names of those board members and clean house when the next election comes around. The board members are obviously self-serving and have totally forgotten who allowed them the positions they now hold.
GARY B. LEIBELT
Colton
{The Sun 4/1/2009}
Pride of Grand Terrace
I grew up in Grand Terrace and remember back in the '70s when GT fought Colton so we could become a city. Colton did not like that. I believe that contributed to the years of empty promises to give our kids their own high school and their own identity.
It looks like Colton is still smarting from that fight. I say get over it and do what is right by the families the new high school will serve.
Would it really kill the Colton Joint Unified School District board members to give in on this one?
We are a city, and we deserve to have pride in where we live just like the Colton residents do.
What are the school board members afraid of? That maybe the GT high school will beat some of those Colton teams? No, that can't be it, can it?
Why doesn't Mr. Abril do the classy thing and step aside to do what is right for the citizens of Grand Terrace who have waited decades for their own high school?
TAMI ISGETT
Highgrove
I grew up in Grand Terrace and remember back in the '70s when GT fought Colton so we could become a city. Colton did not like that. I believe that contributed to the years of empty promises to give our kids their own high school and their own identity.
It looks like Colton is still smarting from that fight. I say get over it and do what is right by the families the new high school will serve.
Would it really kill the Colton Joint Unified School District board members to give in on this one?
We are a city, and we deserve to have pride in where we live just like the Colton residents do.
What are the school board members afraid of? That maybe the GT high school will beat some of those Colton teams? No, that can't be it, can it?
Why doesn't Mr. Abril do the classy thing and step aside to do what is right for the citizens of Grand Terrace who have waited decades for their own high school?
TAMI ISGETT
Highgrove
{The Sun 4/1/2009}
Intend to fight
I was appalled by the actions of the Colton Joint Unified School board at the March 12 meeting regarding the naming of Grand Terrace's new high school.
Grand Terrace's years of support for the Colton school district have been disregarded. We were shunned at that board meeting, even after the board itself asked us to vote on this issue and we chose the name Grand Terrace High School.
I have three questions for the board members, and please remember, you all are elected officials.
1. How much money was squandered in this school-naming sham?
2. With Colton and Bloomington having schools named in their honor, why would you deny the acknowledgment of Grand Terrace's existence?
3. How do you explain your flagrant prejudice in the decision you have made knowing this does not give the students of Grand Terrace the opportunity to experience what you have given Colton and Bloomington?
The added advantage is it gives our educators the ability to impress upon our students that school pride extends to pride in our city. Grand Terrace is only asking for our students to be given the opportunity of recognition in those sports playoffs and championships, the band competitions, the write-ups in the paper about our drama club, etc. - that they are from the great city of Grand Terrace.
A suggestion was made to name the school Grand Terrace High School and dedicate it to Ray Abril Jr. but that was not even considered. I intend to fight this decision.
JUDY WATKINS
Grand Terrace
I was appalled by the actions of the Colton Joint Unified School board at the March 12 meeting regarding the naming of Grand Terrace's new high school.
Grand Terrace's years of support for the Colton school district have been disregarded. We were shunned at that board meeting, even after the board itself asked us to vote on this issue and we chose the name Grand Terrace High School.
I have three questions for the board members, and please remember, you all are elected officials.
1. How much money was squandered in this school-naming sham?
2. With Colton and Bloomington having schools named in their honor, why would you deny the acknowledgment of Grand Terrace's existence?
3. How do you explain your flagrant prejudice in the decision you have made knowing this does not give the students of Grand Terrace the opportunity to experience what you have given Colton and Bloomington?
The added advantage is it gives our educators the ability to impress upon our students that school pride extends to pride in our city. Grand Terrace is only asking for our students to be given the opportunity of recognition in those sports playoffs and championships, the band competitions, the write-ups in the paper about our drama club, etc. - that they are from the great city of Grand Terrace.
A suggestion was made to name the school Grand Terrace High School and dedicate it to Ray Abril Jr. but that was not even considered. I intend to fight this decision.
JUDY WATKINS
Grand Terrace
{The Sun 4/1/2009}
Americans First
The article about the Colton Joint Unified School District board voting to name the new high school in Grand Terrace after a former board member and not
the city is insulting to the residents of the district.
The residents voted for the school to be named after the city. They are the ones who will be sending their children to the high school.
This is another example of the attitudes of many of our elected officials to push their personal agendas and ignore the will of their constituents.
The Sun seems to ask the same short-sighted sources, such as Gil Navarro, their opinions when a subject touches on ethnicity. When will he, and others like him, understand that all of our children need role models, beginning with their parents, regardless of their ethnic heritage?
Spanish surnamed people settled in this country even before the first settlers from England. We are doing very well as Americans.
Navarro is an example of the ethnic splitting politicians that we have all over this country.
Teach your children that they are Americans, first and foremost. Good role models do not have to look like us to be effective.
RUDY GALLEGOS
Colton
The article about the Colton Joint Unified School District board voting to name the new high school in Grand Terrace after a former board member and not
the city is insulting to the residents of the district.
The residents voted for the school to be named after the city. They are the ones who will be sending their children to the high school.
This is another example of the attitudes of many of our elected officials to push their personal agendas and ignore the will of their constituents.
The Sun seems to ask the same short-sighted sources, such as Gil Navarro, their opinions when a subject touches on ethnicity. When will he, and others like him, understand that all of our children need role models, beginning with their parents, regardless of their ethnic heritage?
Spanish surnamed people settled in this country even before the first settlers from England. We are doing very well as Americans.
Navarro is an example of the ethnic splitting politicians that we have all over this country.
Teach your children that they are Americans, first and foremost. Good role models do not have to look like us to be effective.
RUDY GALLEGOS
Colton
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ground Breaking!
GTHS Ground Breaking
Saturday April 4th
10:00am
Corner of Main st. and Taylor st.
Please come and join the celebration but remember to bring your Grand Terrace High School Signs. If you have t-shirts be sure to wear them! Write messages on your cars. Paint your faces. Bring your kids too.
We want to have a friendly protest but at the same time we are excited to finally be getting our High School.
There will be several newspapers as well as news media there so show your support.
Go Grand Terrace High!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)