By Julie BUTCHER

As part of an ongoing effort to secure permanent lights and field seating for Crescenta Valley High School, representatives of the area’s Chambers of Commerce and other civic organizations showed up to the GUSD board meeting’s “Measure S prioritization study session” on Tuesday to continue to make the case for the improvements at the school.

Kaipo Chock, president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, introduced himself and addressed the board.

“When I found out that the football team has been traveling to all of their home games, I was shocked. Speaking on behalf of the Chamber and the community, I urge you to act on the words on your website, to build a bridge between our schools and our community,” he said. “So many of our business owners are grads of CVHS. As business owners, we ask you to help us keep resources in our community. When people have to travel to see a home game, their money travels with them.”

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce President Melinda Clarke echoed Chock’s comments.

“We support permanent seating and lighting for our high school. People move here for this school district. It would be great to provide this added value to CVHS and the area, and we stand in favor,” Clarke told the board. “That’s why all of the chambers are in support of this as well.”

La Crescenta-Montrose community member and CVHS neighbor Alex Stupakis submitted letters of support “for updated lighting and permanent seating from the PTSA, Armenian Community Center, CVHS teams, CVIM and every living principal of CVHS, past and present.” Stupakis implored the board to act “to help us build our field of dreams.”

Steve Pierce spoke as a representative of the CV Fireworks Association and also submitted a letter of support. “When people come to our field to enjoy the fireworks, they’re not allowed to bring chairs, and that makes it tough for the elderly or disabled. This would really help and we urge you to act.”

The board heard a detailed overview of Measure S, passed in April 2011 with 69.9% support, providing the district up to $270 million in general obligation bonds. Approximately $36.2 million remains uncommitted and could be supplemented with at least $8.4 million in developer fees, restricted funds available solely to support school expansion.

According to Greg Andrews, a member of the Superintendent’s Facility Advisory Committee (SFAC), which provides professional and community oversight for the projects and administration of Measure S, the bonds have done particularly well, “because of rigorous oversight and accountability, because of the community and its involvement, and mostly because of these schools.”

Specifically regarding the proposal for CVHS seating and lights, Andrews spoke positively.

“There’s money there,” Andrews noted, “for lights and bleachers, and it’s important to keep local resources local.” He added the need to be “cautious and careful. Oversight and accountability is important to us. It’s important to me. I pay $15,000 in taxes.”

Board members discussed the process by which projects had been previously prioritized district-wide as well as commitments and obligations, including specific promises made at the time of the passage of Measure S. CVHS lights and seating are on the list of the top 13 priorities presented during a lengthy, detailed report from Tony Barrios, executive director of Planning, Development and Facilities for the District, with a total cost estimate of $3.5 million.

At the urging of Boardmember Greg Krikorian, the board decided to reopen bids and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for architectural and testing contracts. Board President Nayiri Nahabedian asked that for “the next conversation we highlight priorities which have not yet been accomplished. I’d also be most interested in reviewing priorities at the site level which are the most needed.”

The board discussed the possibility of requesting draft schematics for a look at what CVHS might look like but paused to conduct a full review of all of the priorities.

“If we spend money it has to be for the kids, not clubs or anyone else. Let’s be realistic here,” said Krikorian. “We haven’t even sold the bonds yet people are coming here and asking for things. I’ve been around for a long time and I’m trying to be realistic. By the time we break ground, it’s 18 months plus another two years. It’ll be 2021 before we see anything built. I’m just saying.”

Krikorian also argued against “singling out one project. I’m not prepared to do that before we see an updated priority list.”

After the meeting, La-Crescenta-Montrose area resident and GUSD board member Jennifer Freemon reported that, “the board works hard to listen to what the community wants. It’s a process. This is one step in the process.”

Former principal, teacher, and coach Ken Biermann remained optimistic following the meeting.

“I am still positive. Until we hear differently, I think it is a possibility. Yes, the Board has many items to consider, but after 57 years I believe it is time. As you may recall, when the field and track replacement was introduced it was due to the effort of school personnel, not the community or the Board. Once things began moving forward, the community was most supportive as identified by the number of contributions. This project [lighting and bleachers] has been initiated through the efforts of concerned community members and has now included the support of the school.”

  Julie BUTCHER