I just need to point out that collaboration among district, city, and county leaders has taken place in many areas over the years. I don’t have the particulars at my fingertips, but several fields, gyms, and student programs (e.g. counselors via Walnut Creek city funding) are district-city partnerships. The PH property you mention has long been considered as one option for the area’s flood control plan to use as one element of a flood detention basin and playfields. The Corps of Engineers, County, City, and District have all participated in the discussions regarding that plan. Funding is an issue, especially these days.

Like you, I wish the strategic planning project that was promised two years ago had taken place by now. But like wishing PH High or Pacifica High were never closed, it does no good to dwell on decisions made or not made in the past. Of course, lessons learned should help during the new round of strategic planning, which President Eberhart says will be starting soon.

And city involvement with programs like CARES and other after school programs is important. Not just after school sports, but also KVHS radio and internship programs for example give students a positive outlet. This could reduce loitering, the risk of crime and strain on police services. Failing to work together to provide these programs is penny wise pound foolish. City partnerships would be a proactive approach to the situation.

It takes a village…

Just for the sake of accuracy, the County bought that land from MDUSD in 1981 and is responsible for maintaining it.

In our area, a West Contra Costa district city has been paying to keep a school open. The San Ramon school board developed partnerships to save money by building school playgrounds that double as city parks. City of Walnut Creek has been paying for the expensive maintenance of WCSD playgrounds, and has several joint-use facility agreements such as the city summer school program at WCI, and city programs at Del Valle Theatre and Foothill Gym.

We could save tax dollars by working together and planning, and the savings could go to our classrooms! MDUSD should be meeting regularly with all the cities, who are stakeholders and partners. It’s very antiquated thinking that the school district would not consult the cities.

“I feel at this point, though, the process should include the whole community, not just the school board,” Pamer told the City Council. “When so much is at stake for the long term future of Concord, I ask you, ‘Can you afford to do nothing?’”

Pamer said the school district reports on the savings from closing the schools do not consider possible effects on traffic, property values and crime.

“I do not feel that closing these schools will save money,” he said. “The district seems bound and determined to continue the school closure process under the guise of saving money.”

Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, who is a Concord High alum, said she is watching the process carefully. In fact, she was sitting behind me at the Jan. 19 study session at Northgate High School.

“It is something I’m concerned about and am following,” she told Pamer on Tuesday. “But it’s really the school board’s decision to make.”

However, the city could weigh in on the demographic consultant’s enrollment projections, including the question about Coast Guard residents. Also, Glenbrook and Holbrook are near the Concord Naval Weapons Station property. Might they need to be reopened after housing is built on that property (if they are closed next year)?

In addition, city leaders serve on the County Connection Board of Directors. After the district closes schools, more students would likely rely on County Connection buses, which currently don’t offer student discounts. The Board of Directors has the power to change routes, as well as fares.

Cities can also apply for “Safe Routes to Schools” funding to improve sidewalks and bike trails for students.

And, the city could offer facilities such as Centre Concord for the next board meeting, along with a police presence, which some people have expressed a desire for. Police were at the very small, peaceful rally outside Monte Gardens Elementary School I attended, so it doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask them to be nearby during what is likely to be a much more crowded and contentious board meeting.

Theresa raised the Walnut Creek issue. Stakeholders we have not heard about in this process are the cities. They have a stake in education, community planning, emergency services, and traffic. All MDUSD cities will be impacted by the domino effect. And remember MDUSD has closed schools before which affects communities, like Pacifica HS, and a MDUSD school site in Pleasant Hill next to the Central Library seems to be a blighted weed patch behind a chain link fence. Has the superintendent or the trustees met with any city officials?