Third time no charm
Posted: 05/23/2010
The Colton school board, at its last meeting, approved spending $40,000 for a parcel tax measure feasibility study to see if residents of the Colton Joint Unified School District might approve yet another revenue-generating scheme.
The district has already proven that it can't handle financial prosperity - the funding of projects from recent bond measures B and G. Measure B money was squandered, without many of the amenities listed, before pre-voting promises even started. Measure G is again following suit by the very real possibility of not completing promised projects in its completed pre-bond election literature (i.e., recalling the "twice promised" Grand Terrace High School).
It may be time to make the district responsible for its actions. The Colton district could have possibly allotted, instead, a portion of the $40,000 for money management and basic economic courses for those that are handling the money.
In this era of money shortages at all levels, including personal finances, why would tax money be used in such a manner?
If you give someone in need money twice and they don't spend it as promised, would you fall for the same ploy a third time? I won't. Remember there is an election coming up in November.
ED GREGOR
Grand Terrace
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
{broken promises}
At the oversight bond G meeting on Monday we learned that the Grand Terrace High School will be completed without some of the amenities that were promised on and in the web site that was posted, such as stadium, swimming pool etc. It is a shame that after being promised a finished product well over a decade ago with bond B, and then after failure and a re promise of the school with bond G, that it still cannot be completed . Many people risked their reputations by supporting G to fellow citizens with the promise of total completion as shown on artist renditions etc. In addition voters trusted their/your word with a yes vote. We as an oversight G group forwarded a recommendation to the board I am in hopes it has been shared with you and that you give it a lot of thought. There will be a lot of very upset citizens and not only in Grand Terrace if their trust in your word and promises is broken yet another time.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
{The Sun} School Board Meeting August 20th
Changing election years would cost, not save, Inland Empire school districts money
Posted: 07/30/2009 04:56:21 PM PDT
A growing number of area school districts have looked at moving their elections from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years to defer costs in tough budgetary times.
But postponing elections from 2010 to 2011 would actually cost districts three times as much money, according to an analysis by the county Registrar of Voters.
For the San Bernardino County Board of Education, which will consider the switch on Monday, it would be five times higher.
The estimated cost of the county school board election in November 2010 is $375,000. The same election would cost nearly $2 million in November 2011.
That doesn't include an additional $155,000 to mail change of election notices to more than 490,000 registered voters, according to the registrar.
County school board member Gil Navarro, who recommended the change, said he is "shocked" by the cost and now will "emphatically vote no."
"Why is it so expensive?" Navarro said. "I think it's time we re-evaluate the voting process in regards to the cost factor."
Registrar Kari Verjil said elections cost more in odd years because there are fewer jurisdictions to share the cost for ballots, poll workers, voting booths and other expenses.
This year, only two school districts - Chaffey Community College District and Baker Valley Unified School District - have elections.
The other 44 school districts in the county have even-year elections.
"When it's shared among many, the cost goes down. When it's shared among few, the cost goes up," Verjil said.
In the Rialto Unified School District, which is also considering the switch, the cost would rise from $54,000 in 2010 to $164,000 in 2011, plus another $9,300 to mail change of election notices.
The Colton school board has already approved a resolution moving the election from even to odd years. The cost would increase from $51,000 in 2010 to $155,000 in 2011, plus $8,800 to mail election change notices.
The county Board of Supervisors still has to ratify Colton's request.
Colton board member Robert Armenta Jr., who voted against moving the election, said he will ask his colleagues to switch the election back to 2010. Armenta said he will ask the matter to be placed on the Aug. 20 meeting agenda.
The San Bernardino City Unified School District has officially changed its election cycle from even to odd years starting in 2011. It will spend an estimated $350,000 for the 2011 election, compared to the $107,000 it would have paid for a 2010 election.
Fifteen special districts are conducting elections by mail in August, which Verjil says reduces costs tremendously because the registrar's office doesn't have to pay poll workers and set up polling places.
But the state election code doesn't allow school districts to have vote-by-mail elections, she said.
Navarro said he will propose a resolution at Monday's meeting asking Sacramento lawmakers to change state law to allow local school districts and agencies to conduct elections by mail to save money.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
{Very Interesting}
December 11, 2004
By CADONNA PEYTON / The Press-Enterprise
At least one community member has filed a complaint with the San Bernardino City Unified School District claiming one of its assistant superintendents is making racist comments while harassing a trustee of another local school board.
Erica Manos of Lake Elsinore filed her complaint with the district's affirmative action office last week. She, along with Robin Hvidston of Upland and Sharon Higa of Chino Hills, attended the district's board meeting Tuesday to speak against Assistant Superintendent Mel Albiso.
However, the women said they were dissuaded from speaking because officials told them they had to file the appropriate complaint form first.
Albiso has attended two Colton Joint Unified School District board meetings to speak about trustee Marge Mendoza-Ware for statements she made at an Oct. 8 KFI AM 640 radio program. Mendoza-Ware was invited to the "John and Ken Political Human Sacrifice" program because one of their targets was U.S. Rep. Joe Baca Sr., and she was running against his son, Joe Baca Jr., in the 62nd Assembly District election.
At the event, Mendoza-Ware said that illegal immigrants are costing schools, hospitals and other public agencies a lot of money. Albiso, who considers the statement racist, has said he is upset that Mendoza-Ware acknowledged that she was a Colton trustee but did not say that her opinions were not of the entire board.
At the Nov. 4 board meeting, Albiso asked Colton trustees to censure Mendoza-Ware, and if they refused to take action, he promised to make Colton a "very complicated school district to work in."
To do that, Albiso said, he would use the Public Records Act to request all correspondence related to actions the board has taken internally and externally and "make a public issue of them."
At the Nov. 18 meeting, Albiso said, "Don't be fooled. This has nothing to do with immigration. This has to do with brown faces and non-brown."
The statements upset Manos.
"Anytime someone brings up immigration of any form, they are accused of being racist," she said.
Both Manos and Higa, who along with Hvidston planned to mail in her complaint, call Albiso's actions toward the board "blackmail."
"Any person who attempts to subdue freedom of expression and makes inflammatory or racist remarks publicly is not fit to hold a position of authority," Manos said.
Albiso, in charge of classified human resources, declined to comment following Tuesday's San Bernardino board meeting and did not return numerous calls made to his office and cell phone.
By CADONNA PEYTON / The Press-Enterprise
At least one community member has filed a complaint with the San Bernardino City Unified School District claiming one of its assistant superintendents is making racist comments while harassing a trustee of another local school board.
Erica Manos of Lake Elsinore filed her complaint with the district's affirmative action office last week. She, along with Robin Hvidston of Upland and Sharon Higa of Chino Hills, attended the district's board meeting Tuesday to speak against Assistant Superintendent Mel Albiso.
However, the women said they were dissuaded from speaking because officials told them they had to file the appropriate complaint form first.
Albiso has attended two Colton Joint Unified School District board meetings to speak about trustee Marge Mendoza-Ware for statements she made at an Oct. 8 KFI AM 640 radio program. Mendoza-Ware was invited to the "John and Ken Political Human Sacrifice" program because one of their targets was U.S. Rep. Joe Baca Sr., and she was running against his son, Joe Baca Jr., in the 62nd Assembly District election.
At the event, Mendoza-Ware said that illegal immigrants are costing schools, hospitals and other public agencies a lot of money. Albiso, who considers the statement racist, has said he is upset that Mendoza-Ware acknowledged that she was a Colton trustee but did not say that her opinions were not of the entire board.
At the Nov. 4 board meeting, Albiso asked Colton trustees to censure Mendoza-Ware, and if they refused to take action, he promised to make Colton a "very complicated school district to work in."
To do that, Albiso said, he would use the Public Records Act to request all correspondence related to actions the board has taken internally and externally and "make a public issue of them."
At the Nov. 18 meeting, Albiso said, "Don't be fooled. This has nothing to do with immigration. This has to do with brown faces and non-brown."
The statements upset Manos.
"Anytime someone brings up immigration of any form, they are accused of being racist," she said.
Both Manos and Higa, who along with Hvidston planned to mail in her complaint, call Albiso's actions toward the board "blackmail."
"Any person who attempts to subdue freedom of expression and makes inflammatory or racist remarks publicly is not fit to hold a position of authority," Manos said.
Albiso, in charge of classified human resources, declined to comment following Tuesday's San Bernardino board meeting and did not return numerous calls made to his office and cell phone.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
{Article from the Press Enterprise}
Colton trustees misstep again
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CASSIE MACDUFF
If Colton school board members aren't careful, they're going to get a reputation as being arrogant and disrespectful of the people who elect them.
Earlier this year, they named a new high school after a retired Colton trustee instead of the city that will host it. They eventually came around, but only after weeks of protests that threatened to ruin the groundbreaking.
Now, in an even more arrogant gesture, they voted to postpone the next school board election until 2011, giving themselves six-year terms when they were elected to serve four years.
What do they think they are, U.S. senators?
Only two trustees -- Robert Armenta Jr. and Patt Haro -- voted against the change.
The trustees who supported the switcheroo were board President Marge Mendoza-Ware, Vice President Mel Albiso and trustees David Zamora and Frank Ibarra.
Thursday's vote was an about-face. In May 2006, the trustees voted to switch elections from odd-numbered year to even-numbered years, giving themselves one additional year on their four-year terms. The first even-year election was in November 2008.
Now they've voted to switch back to odd-numbered years, adding a second year to their terms.
To justify it, they claimed odd-year elections "tend to draw highly motivated voters ..."
Albiso and Mendoza-Ware also said it saves money and one job for the district, which is facing budget cuts, to put off paying for an election until after November 2011.
But when they voted in 2006 to switch to even-year elections, board members claimed it was "to increase voter participation and reduce the cost of election(s)."
They're talking out of both sides of their mouths.
Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil, who runs the elections, said it costs less to hold your election in even-numbered years with other state and local elections, when you can share the costs.
Those elections also get higher voter turnout.
Armenta issued a strongly worded protest, saying he believes postponing the election is wrong and unethical, and breaks the trust with voters.
If budget problems were a reason for canceling elections, he said, Gov. Schwarzenegger might as well say no further elections until the economy turns around.
He's right. Democracy isn't something you can just cancel whenever the budget's tight.
Well, as Albiso said, "I'm sure we'll find out in 2011 if voters think it was a wise decision."
Speaking of budget cuts, Grand Terrace just eliminated an employee perk that probably was questionable to begin with: giving birthday gifts of $50 to each employee, a practice that started in 1994.
The city has 50 employees, so eliminating the checks will cut the annual budget by $2,500.
That may not be much, but the city also will save administrative time spent tracking birthdays, manually requesting checks and getting the signatures of each council member on each birthday letter, Acting City Manager Steve Berry said.
Grand Terrace employees shouldn't feel too disappointed. They can still chip in for cake, like office workers everywhere else.
Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman finally did what I thought he'd do as soon as he was arrested a year ago on felony charges of falsifying evidence to the grand jury.
He pleaded no contest on Tuesday and promised to testify against his former coworkers. About time.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
CASSIE MACDUFF
If Colton school board members aren't careful, they're going to get a reputation as being arrogant and disrespectful of the people who elect them.
Earlier this year, they named a new high school after a retired Colton trustee instead of the city that will host it. They eventually came around, but only after weeks of protests that threatened to ruin the groundbreaking.
Now, in an even more arrogant gesture, they voted to postpone the next school board election until 2011, giving themselves six-year terms when they were elected to serve four years.
What do they think they are, U.S. senators?
Only two trustees -- Robert Armenta Jr. and Patt Haro -- voted against the change.
The trustees who supported the switcheroo were board President Marge Mendoza-Ware, Vice President Mel Albiso and trustees David Zamora and Frank Ibarra.
Thursday's vote was an about-face. In May 2006, the trustees voted to switch elections from odd-numbered year to even-numbered years, giving themselves one additional year on their four-year terms. The first even-year election was in November 2008.
Now they've voted to switch back to odd-numbered years, adding a second year to their terms.
To justify it, they claimed odd-year elections "tend to draw highly motivated voters ..."
Albiso and Mendoza-Ware also said it saves money and one job for the district, which is facing budget cuts, to put off paying for an election until after November 2011.
But when they voted in 2006 to switch to even-year elections, board members claimed it was "to increase voter participation and reduce the cost of election(s)."
They're talking out of both sides of their mouths.
Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil, who runs the elections, said it costs less to hold your election in even-numbered years with other state and local elections, when you can share the costs.
Those elections also get higher voter turnout.
Armenta issued a strongly worded protest, saying he believes postponing the election is wrong and unethical, and breaks the trust with voters.
If budget problems were a reason for canceling elections, he said, Gov. Schwarzenegger might as well say no further elections until the economy turns around.
He's right. Democracy isn't something you can just cancel whenever the budget's tight.
Well, as Albiso said, "I'm sure we'll find out in 2011 if voters think it was a wise decision."
Speaking of budget cuts, Grand Terrace just eliminated an employee perk that probably was questionable to begin with: giving birthday gifts of $50 to each employee, a practice that started in 1994.
The city has 50 employees, so eliminating the checks will cut the annual budget by $2,500.
That may not be much, but the city also will save administrative time spent tracking birthdays, manually requesting checks and getting the signatures of each council member on each birthday letter, Acting City Manager Steve Berry said.
Grand Terrace employees shouldn't feel too disappointed. They can still chip in for cake, like office workers everywhere else.
Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman finally did what I thought he'd do as soon as he was arrested a year ago on felony charges of falsifying evidence to the grand jury.
He pleaded no contest on Tuesday and promised to testify against his former coworkers. About time.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
{The Sun 5/17/2009}
Grand Terrace Little League loses fields
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
GRAND TERRACE - The city is working to help Grand Terrace Little League build its field of dreams.
League officials are scrambling for places to play because the Colton Joint Unified School District is taking two of their three fields at Pico Park to build a new high school.
The fields are on a L-shaped parcel that the city sold to the district in 2006 for the high school.
The 67-acre campus, called Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex, is slated to open in fall 2011 at the corner of Pico and Taylor streets.
District officials told the league they need to start moving dirt next week in preparation for construction of the school.
"They are fencing us off on Tuesday," said Russ Sulzmann, the league's softball representative. "We knew we were going to lose the fields, but we didn't know we would lose them halfway through our season."
The league's season ends in mid-June, he said.
Jaime Ayala, the district's assistant superintendent for business services, said the district let the league hang on to the fields as long as possible.
"It's an unfortunate situation," Ayala said. "I can imagine how those poor kids feel. But construction has to happen like clockwork or we're going to lose our two-year building schedule." The league, which serves about 350 boys and girls ages 6 and 14, moved some of its games to Loma Linda because of the field situation.
The older boys division is also traveling to Rialto, Colton and other cities for games.
City officials are working with the league to find a solution.
The city owns adjacent vacant property north of the park that it could let the league use on a temporary basis, officials said. The city is hoping to eventually use the land for part of the so-called Grand Crossings retail and residential project.
Acting City Manager Steve Berry said the city has park funds that could be used to help the league put in grass, an irrigation system and backstops on the property.
"We're working diligently with the Little League to help them out on this," Mayor Maryetta Ferre said. "It's a problem that needs to be solved."
The city has a joint-use agreement with the district to share field space once the high school opens.
But Ayala said playing fields for high school baseball have different dimensions than Little League fields.
"If there's anything we can do to assist in that area, we will," Ayala said. "To say the district will provide Little League fields, I don't see that happening."
Sulzmann said he is worried that many parents will drop out of the league next year if there aren't enough fields.
"It will be a sad thing," Sulzmann said. "We don't want to see Grand Terrace Little League go bye-bye."
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
GRAND TERRACE - The city is working to help Grand Terrace Little League build its field of dreams.
League officials are scrambling for places to play because the Colton Joint Unified School District is taking two of their three fields at Pico Park to build a new high school.
The fields are on a L-shaped parcel that the city sold to the district in 2006 for the high school.
The 67-acre campus, called Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex, is slated to open in fall 2011 at the corner of Pico and Taylor streets.
District officials told the league they need to start moving dirt next week in preparation for construction of the school.
"They are fencing us off on Tuesday," said Russ Sulzmann, the league's softball representative. "We knew we were going to lose the fields, but we didn't know we would lose them halfway through our season."
The league's season ends in mid-June, he said.
Jaime Ayala, the district's assistant superintendent for business services, said the district let the league hang on to the fields as long as possible.
"It's an unfortunate situation," Ayala said. "I can imagine how those poor kids feel. But construction has to happen like clockwork or we're going to lose our two-year building schedule." The league, which serves about 350 boys and girls ages 6 and 14, moved some of its games to Loma Linda because of the field situation.
The older boys division is also traveling to Rialto, Colton and other cities for games.
City officials are working with the league to find a solution.
The city owns adjacent vacant property north of the park that it could let the league use on a temporary basis, officials said. The city is hoping to eventually use the land for part of the so-called Grand Crossings retail and residential project.
Acting City Manager Steve Berry said the city has park funds that could be used to help the league put in grass, an irrigation system and backstops on the property.
"We're working diligently with the Little League to help them out on this," Mayor Maryetta Ferre said. "It's a problem that needs to be solved."
The city has a joint-use agreement with the district to share field space once the high school opens.
But Ayala said playing fields for high school baseball have different dimensions than Little League fields.
"If there's anything we can do to assist in that area, we will," Ayala said. "To say the district will provide Little League fields, I don't see that happening."
Sulzmann said he is worried that many parents will drop out of the league next year if there aren't enough fields.
"It will be a sad thing," Sulzmann said. "We don't want to see Grand Terrace Little League go bye-bye."
{Construction update}
This morning I drove by the GTHS site to see what was going on. I decided to take some pictures to give you an idea.
Here they are tearing down one of the last two metal buildings that are still standing. These are located on Main Street.
This is on Main street where the lumber used to be stored.
Another picture further down Main St. Today they were rolling up the old fences from the lumber yard.
We saw this coyote as we were driving down Taylor Street. He didn't seem to mind us or the big back hoe that was digging about 50 feet in front of him on Pico Street.
Here is the back hoe taking out the different trees along what used to be Pico Street.
Below is a tractor clearing debris of what used to be the building that held the offices for the lumber company.
Whats left of the lumber company building.
Its exciting to see the progress that is being made. Every day they are working on something new. Grand Terrace High School has been a long time coming so to finally see construction makes it finally seem real.
Here they are tearing down one of the last two metal buildings that are still standing. These are located on Main Street.
This is on Main street where the lumber used to be stored.
Another picture further down Main St. Today they were rolling up the old fences from the lumber yard.
We saw this coyote as we were driving down Taylor Street. He didn't seem to mind us or the big back hoe that was digging about 50 feet in front of him on Pico Street.
Here is the back hoe taking out the different trees along what used to be Pico Street.
Below is a tractor clearing debris of what used to be the building that held the offices for the lumber company.
Whats left of the lumber company building.
Its exciting to see the progress that is being made. Every day they are working on something new. Grand Terrace High School has been a long time coming so to finally see construction makes it finally seem real.Saturday, May 16, 2009
{Terrace View Elementary}
Attention Parents:
Terrace View Elementary did not fulfill there hours needed for the year so the school will need to remain in Session an extra 7 days. That means that the last day of school will be Monday, June 29th. We have not heard any official word form the principal as of yet but we should be hearing something soon. I talked to a school board member who did confirm this information. This only affects Terrace View Elementary.
If you have any questions please call the principal Dr. Adeyemo at 876-4266.
Terrace View Elementary did not fulfill there hours needed for the year so the school will need to remain in Session an extra 7 days. That means that the last day of school will be Monday, June 29th. We have not heard any official word form the principal as of yet but we should be hearing something soon. I talked to a school board member who did confirm this information. This only affects Terrace View Elementary.
If you have any questions please call the principal Dr. Adeyemo at 876-4266.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
School-Naming Turmoil Ends
CASSIE MACDUFF
For a while, it looked like the Colton school board was going to dig in its heels on naming the future high school in Grand Terrace after a former school board member instead of the city that will be its home.
The March 12 decision to name it "Ray Abril Jr. High School" stirred up lots of resentment among the vast majority of residents who wanted the long-awaited high school to be named Grand Terrace High.
Board member Robert Armenta Jr., who was the most vocal advocate of naming it after retired board member Abril, at one point said he wouldn't be bullied or intimidated into backing down.
But this week, Armenta acknowledged the widespread outcry against the name caught him by surprise and ultimately made him change his mind.
Last week, in a specially convened meeting, four board members did the right thing. They voted to change the school's name from "Ray Abril Jr. High School" to "Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril, Jr., Educational Complex." Cumbersome? Yes. But it satisfied both factions.
Three board members were absent, but one sent a message of support for the retooled name.
The compromise resolved seven weeks of turmoil for the district and its community.
From the moment the board voted to name the future high school after Abril, residents of Grand Terrace pleaded, petitioned and threatened the school board to reconsider.
Former board member Tobin Brinker, now a San Bernardino councilman, suggested students might "opt out" of state performance testing that helps determine school funding. Talk about playing hardball.
Under unrelenting pressure, the board agreed on April 23 to consider a compromise: "Grand Terrace High School, honoring Ray Abril." But the compromise died when the board deadlocked on a 3-3 vote.
Amanda Betten, whose group championed the Grand Terrace High name, said she had gone into that meeting believing Armenta would support the compromise.
But Armenta told me he had realized the compromise didn't fit the purpose of honoring Abril's 28 years on the board.
Naming a facility after Abril was a personal mission for Armenta.
Abril was a mentor as Armenta grew up attending Colton schools. Abril regularly attended PTA meetings and parent nights, Armenta said, and always asked him how he was doing in school and encouraged him to go to college.
Having a Latino role model inspired him, he said, and he wanted Abril's name to be a lasting inspiration for future students.
Armenta said he couldn't be at peace with himself until he came up with the right name. On April 29, the board chose the new title, honoring the city and Abril.
Armenta called it a win-win.
Betten agreed, saying it was wonderful and amazing to see the community and the school board overcome their rancor and reach an agreement that honored Abril and the community's wishes.
A full-time student at Riverside Community College, Betten said the experience was a real-life exercise in the kind of social movements she was studying in her political science class.
The move has made the people of Grand Terrace very, very happy, Mayor Marietta Ferre said.
The compromise was a relief for Armenta. "I lost many nights of sleep," he said of the long ordeal.
It's just too bad Abril didn't gracefully demur when the controversy surfaced and ask the board to name something else after him.
The district and the community could have been spared this long, divisive battle.
Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or cmacduff@PE.com
Thursday, April 30, 2009
{t shirts}
La Pasta Italia
Friday May 1st
$15.00
From now on we will be selling our shirts at La Pasta Italia in Grand Terrace. The prices are now $15.00.
{The Sun 4/29/09}
Point of pride
Concerning the naming of the high school in Grand Terrace, I believe the board has not realized the full weight of their decision to name the school after a former board member rather than the community it is to serve.
Some may ask why the issue is of such importance and why people care one way or the other. The answer is simple: The school not only serves the community but also represents said community in both academic and athletic settings.
I am a resident of Grand Terrace and have lived here most of my life. I graduated from Colton High and was proud to represent Colton not only as a student but also as an athlete. Although I lived in Grand Terrace I felt a part of the Colton community by playing for and representing my school.
As a teacher and the head boy's soccer coach at Bloomington High School, I again feel a part of a community in which I do not live. Every time my boys put on the BHS uniform I make sure to remind them they represent not only themselves and their team, but also the entire school and the community of Bloomington. When we have success on the field it brings attention to the entire community, not just our team.
I am proud to have the chance to represent Bloomington every time I lead my players in competition. I do not see why the school board would want to deny such a feeling and sense of pride to the community of Grand Terrace and especially to her children.
With all due respect to the Abril family, I cannot plausibly see how students are going to take pride in representing a school named after a board member.
But, if the board truly wants to serve the entire district, they will reconsider their decision and allow the children of this new school to represent their community, and will enable them to deepen their pride in themselves, thus strengthening the district as a whole.
MARC HOWARD
Grand Terrace
Concerning the naming of the high school in Grand Terrace, I believe the board has not realized the full weight of their decision to name the school after a former board member rather than the community it is to serve.
Some may ask why the issue is of such importance and why people care one way or the other. The answer is simple: The school not only serves the community but also represents said community in both academic and athletic settings.
I am a resident of Grand Terrace and have lived here most of my life. I graduated from Colton High and was proud to represent Colton not only as a student but also as an athlete. Although I lived in Grand Terrace I felt a part of the Colton community by playing for and representing my school.
As a teacher and the head boy's soccer coach at Bloomington High School, I again feel a part of a community in which I do not live. Every time my boys put on the BHS uniform I make sure to remind them they represent not only themselves and their team, but also the entire school and the community of Bloomington. When we have success on the field it brings attention to the entire community, not just our team.
I am proud to have the chance to represent Bloomington every time I lead my players in competition. I do not see why the school board would want to deny such a feeling and sense of pride to the community of Grand Terrace and especially to her children.
With all due respect to the Abril family, I cannot plausibly see how students are going to take pride in representing a school named after a board member.
But, if the board truly wants to serve the entire district, they will reconsider their decision and allow the children of this new school to represent their community, and will enable them to deepen their pride in themselves, thus strengthening the district as a whole.
MARC HOWARD
Grand Terrace
{Press Enterprise 4/30/2009}
Grand Terrace residents get high school name they wanted
At a special meeting, the Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education voted 4-0 to rename the 67-acre campus Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
Vice President Mel Albiso and trustees Frank Ibarra and David Zamora were absent.
Story continues below
About 120 people packed the district board room on South Mount Vernon Avenue.
Grand Terrace resident Amanda Betten, who had helped organize a state testing protest against the district, praised the board and said her group plans to form a Grand Terrace High School Foundation to support of the campus.
Not everyone was happy.
Grand Terrace resident David Batyi said the inclusion of Abril's name was "ridiculous."
"I feel that the board can redeem itself if they just name it Grand Terrace High School," he said. "That's all we want."
The suggested change came from trustee Robert Armenta Jr.
The action follows weeks of discord between the school board and Grand Terrace residents who were upset with the board's decision in March to name the city's first high school after Abril, a former longtime trustee, instead of calling it Grand Terrace High School.
Last week, the board considered a compromise to rename the school Grand Terrace High School, with the tagline "honoring Ray Abril," but the motion died in a tie vote because trustee David Zamora was absent.
Armenta, who advocated naming the school after Abril, said the change honors both Grand Terrace residents and Abril. In addition to the high school, the campus will have a career and technology center.
"This renaming proposal both respects the city identity of Grand Terrace and duly pays tribute to Mr. Ray Abril Jr.'s advocacy and passion for children's progress in the classroom," Armenta said.
Abril's daughter, Melinda Medina, said the family supports the change and that the honor is well deserved.
"You're never going to make everyone happy," she said. "It's a compromise and I hope the residents of Grand Terrace will accept this."
Reach Melanie C. Johnson at 951-368-9489 or mjohnson@PE.com
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At a special meeting, the Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education voted 4-0 to rename the 67-acre campus Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
Vice President Mel Albiso and trustees Frank Ibarra and David Zamora were absent.
Story continues below
About 120 people packed the district board room on South Mount Vernon Avenue.
Grand Terrace resident Amanda Betten, who had helped organize a state testing protest against the district, praised the board and said her group plans to form a Grand Terrace High School Foundation to support of the campus.
Not everyone was happy.
Grand Terrace resident David Batyi said the inclusion of Abril's name was "ridiculous."
"I feel that the board can redeem itself if they just name it Grand Terrace High School," he said. "That's all we want."
The suggested change came from trustee Robert Armenta Jr.
The action follows weeks of discord between the school board and Grand Terrace residents who were upset with the board's decision in March to name the city's first high school after Abril, a former longtime trustee, instead of calling it Grand Terrace High School.
Last week, the board considered a compromise to rename the school Grand Terrace High School, with the tagline "honoring Ray Abril," but the motion died in a tie vote because trustee David Zamora was absent.
Armenta, who advocated naming the school after Abril, said the change honors both Grand Terrace residents and Abril. In addition to the high school, the campus will have a career and technology center.
"This renaming proposal both respects the city identity of Grand Terrace and duly pays tribute to Mr. Ray Abril Jr.'s advocacy and passion for children's progress in the classroom," Armenta said.
Abril's daughter, Melinda Medina, said the family supports the change and that the honor is well deserved.
"You're never going to make everyone happy," she said. "It's a compromise and I hope the residents of Grand Terrace will accept this."
Reach Melanie C. Johnson at 951-368-9489 or mjohnson@PE.com
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
{WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!}
First off I want to thank everyone for their continued support in regards to the naming of our High School. What started as a small group has turned into an entire community.
Remember to call your childs school and let them know that they will be taking the test!!!!!!
A very special thanks to
Wendy for sticking by me from the very beginning
Amanda for being so strong and passionate and always knowing what to do next
My mom Kathy for being my rock and inspiring to start this thing
Ryan you were the missing piece of our group you make me proud
Tobin for always steering us in the right direction
My husband Darian without him I would have not been able to do any of this. With 5 kids at home he never ever complained when I said that I needed to go to a meeting, answer emails, post on the blog, or stand on the corner. He had to do a lot of running around with games and practices and I never heard one complaint.
Brenda for starting the t-shirts and helping behind the scenes
Maria for your endless amount of signs and copies
And to everyone else that was behind the scenes, I wish that I could name everyone but that would be impossible.
Thanks to the school board members that listened to us and did the right thing.
Tonight the name was changed to Grand Terrace High School and it will be located at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
Remember to call your childs school and let them know that they will be taking the test!!!!!!
A very special thanks to
Wendy for sticking by me from the very beginning
Amanda for being so strong and passionate and always knowing what to do next
My mom Kathy for being my rock and inspiring to start this thing
Ryan you were the missing piece of our group you make me proud
Tobin for always steering us in the right direction
My husband Darian without him I would have not been able to do any of this. With 5 kids at home he never ever complained when I said that I needed to go to a meeting, answer emails, post on the blog, or stand on the corner. He had to do a lot of running around with games and practices and I never heard one complaint.
Brenda for starting the t-shirts and helping behind the scenes
Maria for your endless amount of signs and copies
And to everyone else that was behind the scenes, I wish that I could name everyone but that would be impossible.
Thanks to the school board members that listened to us and did the right thing.
Tonight the name was changed to Grand Terrace High School and it will be located at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
{Press Enterprise}
School-name Sense
9:38 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Colton school board members are wise to reconsider a school-naming decision that brought fierce opposition from Grand Terrace residents. The board should defer to community consensus and name the school after the city.
The board of the Colton Joint Unified School District voted in March to name the school, slated to open in 2011, for Colton resident and former board member Ray Abril. The choice has roiled the district ever since, and trustees tonight will consider amending the name to "Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril, Jr., Educational Complex."
The proposal is a reasonable compromise. It would give the school's sports teams and diplomas a community identity. And the name would still honor Abril, who served the district for decades. Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre said Tuesday that she supports the change, which would put "Grand Terrace High School" on the school's marquee. Ferre and the City Council have objected to naming the school anything but Grand Terrace.
And renaming the school tonight would end a battle that even Abril, according to Trustee Patt Haro, has said is dividing the community. Such division serves neither the public interest nor the board's reputation, and trustees would do well to remember the unity that city officials and residents provided in making the high school happen. The city's voters approved two bond measures, helping provide funding for the school. And the city gave up sports fields and moved businesses to make land available.
And a name change would show respect for city residents as well. The board asked in February for public input, only to apparently ignore it. And about 200 people in the city of 12,500 showed up last week to protest naming the school after a former trustee little-known in Grand Terrace. The board should heed that community input, not resist it.
The new high school should be a source of community pride and cohesion, not resentment and discord. Name the school Grand Terrace and move on to the business of ensuring a strong education for the students who pass through its doors.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
{The Sun 4/29/2009}
FYI this article will be printed in tomorrows Sun Newspaper 4/29/2009 that is why it says the meeting is tonight.
Colton school board to consider renaming proposal
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/28/2009 03:10:10
COLTON - Colton Joint Unified trustee Robert Armenta Jr. has devised a compromise to try to settle the name debate surrounding Ray Abril High School.
Armenta wants the 67.5-acre site in Grand Terrace where the high school will be located called the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex. He also proposes that the school, scheduled to open in fall 2011, be renamed from Ray Abril High School to Grand Terrace High School. The complete name would be Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
"I think it's a good compromise," said Grand Terrace resident Letti Byrd, a leader of the parent group seeking the name change.
The school board has scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 tonight to consider Armenta's proposal.
"This renaming proposal both respects the city identity of Grand Terrace and duly pays tribute to Mr. Ray Abril Jr.'s advocacy and passion for children's progress in the classroom," Armenta said in a news release.
The board voted 5-1 in March to call the school Ray Abril High School, angering many Grand Terrace residents who wanted the school named after their city. Trustee Patt Haro voted against it, and Board President Marge Mendoza-Ware was absent.
Supporters of renaming the school launched a campaign to pressure the board to change the name.
Last week, the board deadlocked 3-3 on a proposal to put the matter on the agenda of the next meeting for a vote.
Mendoza-Ware said she thinks there are enough votes on the board to change the name.
"I think it's a win-win for everybody," Mendoza-Ware said of Armenta's proposal. "I support it 100 percent."
If the board renames the school, Byrd said the group will urge parents to make sure their children participate in a state achievement test offered in the district over the next few weeks.
Several parents signed waivers opting their kids out of the test in protest of the board's initial naming decision.
District spokeswoman Katie Orloff said the waivers can be canceled if parents change their minds and want their children to take the test.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916
Colton school board to consider renaming proposal
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/28/2009 03:10:10
COLTON - Colton Joint Unified trustee Robert Armenta Jr. has devised a compromise to try to settle the name debate surrounding Ray Abril High School.
Armenta wants the 67.5-acre site in Grand Terrace where the high school will be located called the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex. He also proposes that the school, scheduled to open in fall 2011, be renamed from Ray Abril High School to Grand Terrace High School. The complete name would be Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex.
"I think it's a good compromise," said Grand Terrace resident Letti Byrd, a leader of the parent group seeking the name change.
The school board has scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 tonight to consider Armenta's proposal.
"This renaming proposal both respects the city identity of Grand Terrace and duly pays tribute to Mr. Ray Abril Jr.'s advocacy and passion for children's progress in the classroom," Armenta said in a news release.
The board voted 5-1 in March to call the school Ray Abril High School, angering many Grand Terrace residents who wanted the school named after their city. Trustee Patt Haro voted against it, and Board President Marge Mendoza-Ware was absent.
Supporters of renaming the school launched a campaign to pressure the board to change the name.
Last week, the board deadlocked 3-3 on a proposal to put the matter on the agenda of the next meeting for a vote.
Mendoza-Ware said she thinks there are enough votes on the board to change the name.
"I think it's a win-win for everybody," Mendoza-Ware said of Armenta's proposal. "I support it 100 percent."
If the board renames the school, Byrd said the group will urge parents to make sure their children participate in a state achievement test offered in the district over the next few weeks.
Several parents signed waivers opting their kids out of the test in protest of the board's initial naming decision.
District spokeswoman Katie Orloff said the waivers can be canceled if parents change their minds and want their children to take the test.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916
{Special Board Meeting}
Wednesday April 29, 2009
5:30pm
CJUSD Board Room
851 South Mt. Vernon
Colton, CA 92324
As many of you know the school Board has called a special board meeting for tomorrow eveningat 5:30pm. We are very excited but optimistic at the same time. The proposed name would be Grand Terrace High School but it will be located at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex. So yes the High School will be GTHS.
We are hoping that if you attend this meeting that you be respectful of everyone involved. This meeting was called for the sole purpose of renaming High School #3 so it will probably be very short and we want it that way.
If all goes as planned we want to remind the parents that they need to call the school in which your child attends and tell them that your child WILL be taking the test. We want to put as much effort into getting the kids to test as we did at getting them to opt out.
So please remember that we have had many many people involved in the renaming and they have been very respectful from the beginning. We need to keep it that way long after the name changing.
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