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had always felt it would be nice to have a school there but is now looking at the fiscal reality <br />that the School District and the State will not fund a school in an area where the number of <br />children is going to decrease over the next few years. <br /> <br /> Carl Metz, 1533 Harvest Road, felt the City should take the School District's word that <br />this is a surplus site. He felt that since School Districts are cash poor, that its cost effective for <br />the site to be sold. He urged Council to approve this project. <br /> <br /> Cindy McGovern, 9206 Longview Drive, stated she is a Boardmember of the Pleasanton <br />Unified School District. She felt this was a quality infill project that fits well in the present <br />neighborhood. She hoped the Council would allow for the land swap which enhances the present <br />park. The monies received from the sale of this site will allow the School District to improve <br />and enhance Walnut Grove school where the Del Prado area children go to school. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis asked if there were to be financial support from the community for the <br />reduction of class sizes would this necessitate an additional school site, and if so, where would <br />it be and how would this be handled? <br /> <br /> Ms. McGovern replied that the School Board is still in the planning stages of that, but <br />the School Board cannot run an election like that; it has to come from the community. What <br />is being looked at is class size reduction in grades K-3 with some class size reduction in grades <br />4-5. The Board is looking at using portables on present school sites to reduce class size. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis commented that her understanding is that the School Board is not anticipating <br />an additional school site. <br /> <br /> Ms. McGovern replied that is correct. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti asked if the Board had taken formal action in approving that the funds <br />from the sale of this site would go for a multi-purpose room at Walnut Grove school. <br /> <br /> Ms. McGovern replied that a vote had been made to earmark the funds for Walnut Grove <br />school. This means that the funds will go for a multi-purpose room. There are no other funds <br />to improve an existing site for students. <br /> <br /> Pat Kernan, 1885 Tanglewood Way, stated he was asked to speak on behalf of the School <br />District as an attorney. He stated he does a lot of development and land swap work and the <br />process is long, hard and expensive. He felt the Council needed to consider whether this project <br />makes sense versus whether or not the land belongs to the School District. Mr. Kernan felt the <br />developer has done a fine job working with the neighborhood and the people. As a resident, he <br />felt this was a great city with great schools. He asked Council to judge the project on its merits. <br /> <br /> John Doggett, 2138 Corte Richardo, stated he was in favor of the project. He felt it was <br />appropriate to recognize the efforts of those who worked to have a school on the site, but that <br /> <br />10/17/95 -12- <br /> <br /> <br />