Elementary School Boundary Committee

James Britto

Roger Bylund

Joe Callanan

Fred Confetti

Judy Dawson

Susan Daynes

Anthony Fardella

Gale Humes

Brenda Maldonado

Debra Mason

Robert Rayborn

Anthony Reese

Betty Sauer

Sandra Seskin

Robert Shattuck

Ava Sudduth

The sixth meeting of the Elementary School Boundary Committee for Pittsburg/Bay Point convened April 30 at 7:05 p.m. at Bel Air Elementary School. Opportunity for public comment was provided. No community members make comments at that time. Bob Rayborn thanked the princpal, Ava Sudduth, for hosting the committee, and allowing the meeting to occur at Bel Air. He announced the placing of the committee’s work to date on the Mt. Diablo Unified School District web site, www.mdusd.k12.ca.us. This was done in response to a specific request made by the committee.

The minutes from the April 16 meeting were unanimously approved with no changes or amendments.

The committee reviewed options 6A and 7A. It was noted that 6A made the most efficient use of the planned facilities, i.e., there would be fewer unhoused students at any given school site.

Fred Confetti, Director of Transportation, stated that the transportation for either Option 6A or Option 7A would be limited to students attending the new school who live: north of the freeway (Highway 4); in Oak Hills; and Ridge Farms, when it is completed. This transportation would be available until Leland Road and/or other cross streets were opened, allowing walking access to the new school. At that time, transportation for portions of the Oak Hills development will cease. He felt there would be fewer walkers, but an equal number of crossings of congested streets, with Option 6A.

Option 7A was discussed, and it was asserted that using Option 7A would allow Bel Air Elementary to open with more space than 6A, and would provide greater opportunity for parental choice. It was further asserted that Option 7A would force the issue of crossing guards sooner, and perhaps because more students would be projected to attend San Marco, this would in the long term reduce the number of busy street crossings. However, this potential was predicated on safe walking conditions within the area served by the new school. It was also noted that this assumption may or may not be true.

An extensive discussion about safety issues occurred. Bob Rayborn stated that the superintendent had commented on his concern related to safety. He had indicated his desire for the committee to develop a workable option that was as safe as possible for children living in the area. The consensus of the committee was to identify the needed crossing guard locations as part of their work, and to include a provision for crossing guards as part of their recommendation. Bob Rayborn agreed to meet with Fred Confetti to identify the specific areas for walkers, and where crossing guards would be needed. The committee was informed that crossing guards are hired by cities in other parts of the district, and are not Mt. Diablo Unified School District employees. In the Pittsburg/Bay Point area, the Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) would be asked to assume that responsibility. Bob Rayborn agreed to meet with the MAC president to see if an agreement related to the provision of crossing guards could be arranged.

A committee member asked if a link could be established between the district web site and the web site maintained by A. J. Fardella, which contains a wealth of information about the new elementary school. Bob Rayborn indicated he would explore the possibility.

By consensus, the committee agreed to limit its future deliberations to Options 6A and 7A, and to vote on the option they wish to recommend at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on May 14 at Shore Acres Elementary School, 351 Marina Road, Bay Point. Planning for the Board presentation will occur at that meeting, and all materials for the next meeting would be provided not only in English, but also in Spanish. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Rayborn, Director

Research and Evaluation

Absent: