HIGH SCHOOL FOR ALPINE GETS UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF GUHSD BOARD

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By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2009 (Alpine)—Cheers and tears of joy filled the room tonight as the Grossmont Union High School Board unanimously voted to approve construction of a new high school in Alpine. The decision drew a rousing ovation from parents and others who have fought for more than a decade to bring a high school to their community.

Trustee Priscilla Schreiber praised Viejas and Sycuan tribal leaders and other community members for their support, then thanked new Superintendent
Bob Collins for honoring his pledge “to fulfill a promise long overdue.”

“This is one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make. I’m excited that the community has come together as one,” said trustee Jim Kelly.

Former trustee member Larry Urdahl, an Alpine resident, was elated following the meeting. “Eleven years—that’s how long I’ve waited for that vote!” he said.

After narrowing choices to four site options, the Board voted tonight to approve the environmental impact and construction of the district’s twelfth high school at the Lazy A ranch, located on Alpine Blvd. at the intersection of Willow Road. The location was the overwhelming preference of the public and was recommended by the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, tribal leaders, the Alpine High School Citizens Committee, Alpine Planning Board, business leaders, parents, and fire officials.

Community members offered emotional testimony on the need for a high school in Alpine.

“The current situation is not tolerable, requiring high school students to travel up to two hours a day on Interstate 8,” said Adam Day, father of five children and assistant tribal leader for the Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation. “It’s dangerous and a waste of time that could be better spent with family or on schoolwork.”

“Every year for twelve years, we lose a child going down the hill,” said Chuck Taylor, vice chairman of the Alpine Planning Group, citing traffic deaths of teens traveling not only to school, but to athletic competitions at other area high schools.

Viejas tribal vice chairman Robert “Cita” Welch expressed confidence that the new school will be “a source of community spirit and pride.”

The three locations rejected by the board were Chocolate Summit Drive in Blossom Valley, Wright Field, and the Tavern Road/I-8 junction in Alpine. A fire official warned that two sites, Chocolate Summit and Wright Field, posed serious dangers to students due to inadequate access, dense brush and/or Santa Ana wind conditions.
Cost from land acquisition to construction for the Lazy A site is projected to be $12-$13 million, substantially less than other sites that would have run up to $34 million.

The only opposition came from a handful of residents who will be displaced. Several board members indicated that while they dislike eminent domain, the greater good for the community prevailed. The Lazy A location topped the list of options not only for cost effectiveness, but for fire safety, environmental impact, and other considerations as well.

The high school is anticipated to open in 2013 with 800 students and will ultimately be built out to accommodate up to 2,000 students in grades 9-12.

Sal Casamassima, an Alpine resident and parent of a second grader, believes the new high school will be a unifying force as well as a centerpiece for education, arts, science and technology. The new school will improve educational opportunities and provide a safe hometown haven for student athletes, as well as a place for Native American citizens to proudly display their heritage, language and culture, Casamassima concluded. “It will be the missing link that makes our community whole.”


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Comments

High School in Alpine

I am so happy that Alpine will be getting a high school! My girls are still pretty young but it is comforting to know that there will be a shcool close by that they can attend instead of being bussed down the hill. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this happen!