Dear Editor,
Some Morgan Hill residents are seeking to sidestep responsibility by dropping off a part of the school district. Such an attitude is irresponsible.
The area now included in the district is approximately the same as the area defined as the Live Oak High School District in 1950. The boundaries were and are Church Avenue in the south, Bernal Road to the north and the counties of Santa Cruz and Stanislaus to the west and east.
The local schools have provided educational services to all the children within this area for the past 56 years. There is no valid excuse to stop now. At the time the currrent district was formed in 1966 it encompassed 296 square miles, the city of Morgan Hill was then about eight square miles.
Included in the district are the Martin Murphy Middle School, the Los Paseos Elementary School and Encinal School. The capacities for an acreage of these sites are estimated at student capacity of 2000 and 29.12 acres. These facilities would probably become a part of the Coyote Valley School District.
The total assessed valuation of the district for the 2004-05 fiscal year is more than $6 billion. After a split the district would probably lose the Los Paseos area, the Metcalf Road generating station plus all land and property north of Live Oak Avenue, south of Bernal Road, and from the Santa Cruz County line to the Stanislaus County line. Total loss of assessed valuation is estimated at $2.4 billion.
Finally, one must ask, who would represent the proposed new district? I don’t believe anyone knows. However, to form a new district someone or some persons must assume responsibility. We should remember that the filling up of Coyote Valley will not occur overnight.
The present school personnel knows the territory and the people. The trustees and the staff are somewhat aware of the job that needs to be done. The school people and the citizens must accept the responsibility that will be thrust upon them.
William R. Keig, Morgan Hill
Former Assistant Superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District
