Coming off a successful summit meeting of South Valley cities
and school districts to share concerns over the development of
Coyote Valley, the City Council Wednesday discussed suing San Jose
if unhappy with the results.
Coming off a successful summit meeting of South Valley cities and school districts to share concerns over the development of Coyote Valley, the City Council Wednesday discussed suing San Jose if unhappy with the results.
And as word begins to spread in the community about the challenges the Morgan Hill School District will face with the development of the Coyote Valley, School Board trustees are seizing the opportunity to hear public comment and to find out more about the districts options.
A workshop has been scheduled at 6:15 p.m. on June 9, at the District Office, 15600 Concord Circle, for the purpose of discussing the Coyote Valley Specific Plan (CVSP) and its impact on the school district.
One option that has been suggested to trustees is that the district give up the northern portion of the district that extends into the Coyote Valley and San Jose.
On Wednesday, Mayor Dennis Kennedy announced that San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales had accepted an invitation to talk to the South Valley stakeholders and several people on the Coyote Valley Specific Plan Task Force – the group responsible for planning the valley –have noticed the unrest.
“I was stopped at the Relay for Life (the cancer-fighting event last weekend) by a member of the task force,” said Councilman Larry Carr, “and he offered to meet and help.”
County Supervisor Don Gage, who lives in Gilroy and is on the CVSPTF but who represents a much wider area, also offered to carry messages.
Ever since no one from an official South Valley city was appointed to the main task force, even though the addition of 50,000 jobs, 25,000 houses and 80,000 more people practically on the city’s doorstep would have a huge impact on the area, the council has been trying to get a seat at the planning table or, at least, a voice. To little avail, so far.
The school district is represented on the task force by Russ Danielson, a former school board member and San Jose resident who owns a Morgan Hill business. He was appointed while on the school board.
Councilman Greg Sellers had asked the city attorney to review legal recourse if, down the line, Morgan Hill decided it needed to follow that path. City Manager Ed Tewes reported back Wednesday.
“We have looked at all the legal avenues and requirements but the situation may not meet them,” Tewes said. Sellers said council should decide just how strongly they felt about the issue.
Councilman Steve Tate was one who felt strongly but wanted to stop short of threatening lawsuits.
“We should be working on getting participation, showing the impacts on us,” Tate said. “Tell San Jose that if they make poor decisions they may force us to act.”
Two weeks ago Mayor Dennis Kennedy convened a workshop – which he is calling a “summit” – with representatives from the City of Gilroy, Gavilan College, Morgan Hill School District, Open Space Authority, San Martin, plus Supervisor Gage. The group, voiced their concerns and suggested ways to control some of the effects of the expected deluge of people.
“The workshop got Mayor Gonzales’ attention,” said Kennedy. “I’d rather pursue that course first (talking) and use legal (action) as a last resort.”
David Vossbrink, Gonzales’ public relations director, said Thursday that the San Jose mayor would be happy to meet with Kennedy and the others over Coyote Valley planning issues.
“The mayor wants as many voices involved as possible,” Vossbrink said. Gonzales will try to meet with the South Valley summit group by mid-June, he said.
Schools to support the population of the new development – a projection is 8-10 elementary schools, two middle schools and at least one high school – would fall within the boundaries of the Morgan Hill School District.
At Monday’s school board meeting, Realtor Rebecca Van Dahlen told trustees she had two questions she would like them to answer.
“What are the pros and the cons of having Coyote Valley in our district,” she asked. “And will you put this issue on the ballot?”
Board watcher Scott Woodworth said the community needs to have a voice.
“This is important enough to take it to the community for a vote,” he said.
Trustee Mike Hickey said he does not have enough information to determine whether the development would be a good thing for the district or not.
“I agree and I disagree,” he said about a vote at this time. “They’re not going to build them (the homes) next year, or even in one year. We need to take some time and look at this very carefully.”
Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers President Donna Foster said she was pleased to hear the questions about the development.
“Number one, we do have to consider revenues,” she said. “(The proposed development) could make us a basic aid district … and that could mean we would gain an additional $120 per student in ADA (average daily attendance funding). It may contribute huge revenues to our district. Number two, I agree with Mr. Hickey. This isn’t something that requires a knee-jerk reaction … I don’t want to see this on the ballot right now. I’d like to see some education first. I think we should continue to research this and ask the good questions.”
Others have pointed out that when the development is completed, there will be more residents living in the San Jose-Coyote portion of the district than in Morgan Hill and San Martin.
The next general election is in November and July 21 is the deadline for ballot initiatives to reach the Registrar of Voters’ office. Voter approval for changes in district boundaries, including formation of a new district in the Coyote area would be necessary.
School Board President George Panos said Monday night that officials from the Santa Clara County Office of Education will attend the workshop to answer questions.
