Recap of Cypress District Meeting Proposed Schemes, (Master Facilities Plan Advisory Committee)

[Warren and Betty Lau]

Today's results from last month's Meeting votes did not favor Luther
very well. Keep in mind the the Cypress School District, Master
Facilities Plan Advisory Committee DOES NOT HAVE THE FINAL SAY who
will be closing. It is ultimately up to the BOARD OF TRUSTEES who
will be making that final decision. The Master Facilities Committee
is merely giving a recommendation. Which the board does not have to
agree with. So as long as we can come up with a plan with facts to
supports Luther we still have a great chance.

At the last meeting the Committee asked each school to pick two
schools to close. The results were as follows:

Luther 21 votes
Landell 15 votes
Cawthon 14 votes
Swain 12 votes

From the results above the Committee proposed these Four Schemes
today. Leaving all other schools safe from the chopping board.

1) Scheme A close Cawthon and Luther
2) Scheme B close Landell and Luther
3) Scheme C close Landell and Swain
4) Scheme D close Cawthon and Swain

The Members of the committee added one extra criteria which was
Potential Loss of Enrollment! ( Another committee member asked if
Safety of school for night activities was ever considered? The
Committee didn't seem to interested about this).

The top criteria's were
1) Least Disruption to Students,
2) School of Residence,
3)Transportation
4) Asset Management Potential

After they explained what the top 3 criteria's were all school
committee members (4 members from each school ) were all allowed to
vote again just to see if the same results would come out again.
Since, at last month's meeting it seemed the criteria's were too
difficult to understand. So they tossed out all the scenarios that
were given previously and started over on what criteria's mattered the
most and voted all over again.

At today's meeting Oct 14,2009 all schools were given 4 hand outs
which asked for reasons why Cawthon, Swain, Landell and Luther should
stay open and what reasons why they should be closed. These hand outs
must all be returned by Oct 21,2009 to make a recommendation of why
that school would be closed or remained open. ( In my opinion I think
they want this result to present it to the Board of Trustees in Nov to
make the Final decision).

The next Cypress District Master Facilities Advisory Committee meeting
will be on OCT 28, 2009 at 3:30 PM. Please make sure you attend to
find out what's going to happen next. Show your support wear your
Luther Shirts!

We welcome all suggestions or ideas please feel free to email us your
opinions so we can write the reasons to keep Luther open. We need
your opions ASAP this information has to get to Kari Singer before OCT
21st so she can go over it with Mrs Beatty, Ms Olsen, and Janie
Longo. Mrs Singer needs to turn it in to the Master Facilities
Committee by Oct 21,2009.

Thanks again everyone for your time and efforts.
Betty

[SERVANDO ORTEGA]

Now, more than ever, we must communicate to the school board and the board of trustees the need to have Luther stay at La Palma.  As we begin to work even harder to prevent the closure, We need to worker smarter.  We need to start thinking our options and alternatives that we can fight for as the recommendations are presented to the school board and trustees. 

 

So when do we meet?  Where?  Who's in?

[james s]

Did anyone catch the name of the company that is providing the scenarios?
I thought I heard "Lincoln Group" but I couldn't find it on the internet.

--- On Thu, 10/15/09, SERVANDO ORTEGA <servan...@gmail.com> wrote:

[brian_nakamura]

James,

That would be the Dolinka Group and the reps name was Larry Ferchaw.
I think their website is www.dolinkagroup.com

Brian Nakamura

On Oct 15, 6:46 am, james s <jsarash...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Did anyone catch the name of the company that is providing the scenarios?
> I thought I heard "Lincoln Group" but I couldn't find it on the internet.  
>

> --- On Thu, 10/15/09, SERVANDO ORTEGA <servandort...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > Betty- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Jane Freij]

When did King, Arnold, and Morris escape discussion as possible closures?

---

From: brian_nakamura <gotb...@hotmail.com>
To: Save Our School <save-ou...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, October 15, 2009 7:22:39 AM

Subject: Re: Recap of Cypress District Meeting Proposed Schemes, (Master Facilities Plan Advisory Committee)

James,

That would be the Dolinka Group and the reps name was Larry Ferchaw.
I think their website is www.dolinkagroup.com

Brian Nakamura

> > that school would be closed or remained open..  ( In my

> > opinion I think
> > they want this result to present it to the Board of
> > Trustees in Nov to
> > make the Final decision).
>
> > The next Cypress District Master Facilities Advisory
> > Committee meeting
> > will be on OCT 28, 2009 at 3:30 PM.  Please make sure you
> > attend to
> > find out what's going to happen next. Show your support
> > wear your
>
> > Luther Shirts!
>
> > We welcome all suggestions or ideas please feel free to
> > email us your
> > opinions so we can write the reasons to keep Luther open.
> >  We  need
> > your opions ASAP this information has to get to Kari Singer
> > before OCT
>
> > 21st so she can go over it with Mrs Beatty, Ms Olsen, and
> > Janie
> > Longo.  Mrs Singer needs to turn it in to the Master
> > Facilities
> > Committee by Oct 21,2009.
>

> > Thanks again everyone for your time and efforts..

[June]

As everyone's been saying, let's pull together and meet this deadline
and make the Board see what a disaster closing Luther would be.
According to the notes, the schools have been instructed to explain
not only why the school should stay open (luckily everyone has been
working hard on that) but also why a school should be closed. I think
we've avoided pointing fingers and saying choose those guys. However,
we now have to do it. We might want to work the angle of closing Swain
because the only scenarios that don't close Luther instead close
Swain. Basically in the scenarios it's Luther or Swain, but never the
two
together.
I think focus on (1) why keep Luther open (2) why close Swain
(3) why close Landell or Cawthon (whichever one we have more
talking points against).

> > > 3) Scheme C close Landell and Swain
> > > 4) Scheme D close Cawthon and Swain

June

> > --- On Thu, 10/15/09, SERVANDO ORTEGA <servandort...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> > > supports Luther we still have a great chance..

> > > that school would be closed or remained open.  ( In my

> > > opinion I think
> > > they want this result to present it to the Board of
> > > Trustees in Nov to
> > > make the Final decision).
>
> > > The next Cypress District Master Facilities Advisory
> > > Committee meeting
> > > will be on OCT 28, 2009 at 3:30 PM.  Please make sure you
> > > attend to
> > > find out what's going to happen next. Show your support
> > > wear your
>
> > > Luther Shirts!
>
> > > We welcome all suggestions or ideas please feel free to
> > > email us your
> > > opinions so we can write the reasons to keep Luther open.
> > >  We  need
> > > your opions ASAP this information has to get to Kari Singer
> > > before OCT
>
> > > 21st so she can go over it with Mrs Beatty, Ms Olsen, and
> > > Janie
> > > Longo.  Mrs Singer needs to turn it in to the Master
> > > Facilities
> > > Committee by Oct 21,2009.
>
> > > Thanks again everyone for your time and efforts.

> > > Betty- Hide quoted text -
>

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Ed]

Here is why the results didn't favor Luther:
By using the least disruption criteria, the school with the smallest enrollment in their projected school of residence would naturally cause the least disruption. Which is why the schools that are larger and/or are growing - King, Arnold, and Morris, escaped consideration for closure.

Considering that Luther ranks near the bottom for most of the numbers (attendance, renovation costs, etc), I think Luther did better than expected in the voting. Out of 62 votes, Luther could have been at 27 instead of 21, after factoring out the 4 votes from Luther.

Yesterday's vote was just the first of many rounds. We have a lot more "battles" to fight and weapons to use. Continue talking and helping each other as we work on this together.
-ed

---- June <arashi...@gmail.com> wrote:

=============

[Herb Sutherland]

Time to think outside the box.  I don't know why the projected renovation cost is so much higher for Luther than the others, but I think I heard recently that the city had a lot of extra money.  Maybe the city could kick in $2 million for the renovation to bring the remaining amount needed for renovation in line with the other schools.  Just an idea...

[Ed]

As stated by Ms. Loewenstein, due to Measure M funds, renovation costs are not a factor at this time since they have enough funds to fund any needed renovations.

Luther's renovation costs are higher because it includes upgrading to a larger multipurpose room. The cost analysis (see page 7 in Luther_10-14_scenarios.pdf from the Files section) upgrades all schools to the same level, which means all schools would have a similiar sized multipurpose room. Whether one is needed would be a post-closure discussion.
-ed

---- Herb Sutherland <herbsut...@gmail.com> wrote:

=============

[james s]

Then the corresponding cell for Luther should not be red and the corresponding cell for Landell should not be green.

If a school is closed then what happens to the allocated Measure M funds?

--- On Thu, 10/15/09, Ed <savel...@ca.rr.com> wrote:

> From: Ed <savel...@ca.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: Recap of Cypress District Meeting Proposed Schemes, (Master Facilities Plan Advisory Committee)
> To: save-ou...@googlegroups.com

[Ed]

The funds supposedly goes to the school that the kids are moved to. The reality is that they will probably be used by the district as needed.

Not sure what you are referring to about red and green. The colors were added to show which were high and low, but the committee was not using the costs as a criteria.
-ed

---- james s <jsara...@yahoo.com> wrote:

=============

[james s]

> Not sure what you are referring to about red and
> green. The colors were added to show which were high
> and low, but the committee was not using the costs as a
> criteria.

Is the Line 13-"Total Mod Cost" related to Measure M allocation?
If yes then there are 3 boxes that are colored red in the Luther column.
At the bottom, Luther was scored -3 for "Subtotal: Worse Conditions".

thanks,
James

[Ed]

"Total Mod Cost" is the cost needed to upgrade the school to support 650 students with classrooms, etc. and an appropriately sized MPR (multipurpose room). Per http://www.cypsd.k12.ca.us/Superintendent/Newsletter/modernization.pdf - "All the construction funds from Measure M will be allocated for modernization of the schools where District students will attend." The funds are not directly allocated per student or per school, but is one large checkbook for the district to use as needed.

Since there are enough funds from Measure M to support upgrades at any six schools, modernization costs are not being considered as a criteria by the committee.

[saveourschool]

I haven't been able to attend meetings and have only heard bits and
pieces of info. So, forgive me if any of my email is redundant or not
relevant. Have the following been considered? traffic increase on
moody? with regards to the other schools and minimizing the
disruption to students has the proximity of the schools luther to the
north been compared? I've heard there are three schools in a row
(sorry don't know their names or proximity to each other)... and my
thought is to close the one in the middle and split the kids to either
of the two other schools. Just because Luther has low enrollment
today, doesn't mean it will always have low enrollment. Can't they
shift the kids and keep Luther open? I've also heard that there are
La Palma kids being bused to Buena Park schools? Would bringing them
to a school in their own city help raise our numbers?

I contacted Senator Ed Royce's office this morning and it was
recommended to me that we contact John Warlock (OC Board of
Supervisors), Tom Harmon (Representative) and Jim Silva
(Assemblyman). Has anyone done this? If so, what have they said?

Thanks for any response...
Carrie

On Oct 16, 10:40 am, Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com> wrote:
> "Total Mod Cost" is the cost needed to upgrade the school to support 650 students with classrooms, etc. and an appropriately sized MPR (multipurpose room).  Perhttp://www.cypsd.k12.ca.us/Superintendent/Newsletter/modernization.pdf- "All the construction funds from Measure M will be allocated for modernization of the schools where District students will attend."  The funds are not directly allocated per student or per school, but is one large checkbook for the district to use as needed.

>
> Since there are enough funds from Measure M to support upgrades at any six schools, modernization costs are not being considered  as a criteria by the committee.
> -ed
>

> ---- james s <jsarash...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> =============
>
> > Not sure what you are referring to about red and
> > green.  The colors were added to show which were high
> > and low, but the committee was not using the costs as a
> > criteria.
>
> Is the Line 13-"Total Mod Cost" related to Measure M allocation?
> If yes then there are 3 boxes that are colored red in the Luther column.
> At the bottom, Luther was scored -3 for "Subtotal: Worse Conditions".
>
> thanks,
> James
>

> --- On Thu, 10/15/09, Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com> wrote:

>
>
>
> > From: Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com>
> > Subject: Re: Recap of Cypress District Meeting Proposed Schemes, (Master Facilities Plan Advisory Committee)
> > To: save-ou...@googlegroups.com
> > Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009, 4:47 PM
>
> > The funds supposedly goes to the school that the kids are
> > moved to.  The reality is that they will probably be
> > used by the district as needed.
>
> > Not sure what you are referring to about red and
> > green.  The colors were added to show which were high
> > and low, but the committee was not using the costs as a
> > criteria.
> > -ed
>

> > ---- james s <jsarash...@yahoo.com>

> > wrote:
>
> > =============
>
> > Then the corresponding cell for Luther should not be red
> > and the corresponding cell for Landell should not be green.
>
> > If a school is closed then what happens to the allocated
> > Measure M funds? 
>

> > --- On Thu, 10/15/09, Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com>
> > wrote:

>
> > > From: Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com>
> > > Subject: Re: Recap of Cypress District Meeting
> > Proposed Schemes, (Master Facilities Plan Advisory
> > Committee)
> > > To: save-ou...@googlegroups.com
> > > Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009, 3:39 PM
>
> > > As stated by Ms. Loewenstein, due to Measure M funds,
> > > renovation costs are not a factor at this time since
> > they
> > > have enough funds to fund any needed renovations.
>
> > > Luther's renovation costs are higher because it
> > includes
> > > upgrading to a larger multipurpose room.  The cost
> > > analysis (see page 7 in Luther_10-14_scenarios.pdf
> > from the
> > > Files section) upgrades all schools to the same level,
> > which
> > > means all schools would have a similiar sized
> > multipurpose
> > > room.  Whether one is needed would be a post-closure
> > > discussion.
> > > -ed
>

> > > ---- Herb Sutherland <herbsutherl...@gmail.com>

> > > wrote:
>
> > > =============
> > > Time to think outside the box.  I don't know why the
> > > projected renovation
> > > cost is so much higher for Luther than the others, but
> > I
> > > think I heard
> > > recently that the city had a lot of extra money. 
> > > Maybe the city could kick
> > > in $2 million for the renovation to bring the
> > remaining
> > > amount needed for
> > > renovation in line with the other schools.  Just an
> > > idea...
>

> > > On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 2:01 PM, Ed <savelut...@ca.rr.com>

> > > > -ed- Hide quoted text -