Rick Hemphill
Comment for Consideration at the June 13, 2023 LAPS School Board Meeting
Re: Pinon Elementary Construction – Perimeter Security Fence Location
My name is Rick Hemphill and my home is at 117 Sierra Vista Dr., on the west boundary of the school. I’ll represent here the concerns I have and have heard from many residents along the Sierra Vista section of the boundary. This has been informally discussed at both the school open house with the architect and at the recent neighborhood presentation by the Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, and Construction Manager. It was suggested that this be brought up formally at this meeting.
As part of the construction, a security fence is planned around the perimeter of the school yard. The intent is that this fence will help limit access to the school grounds, during the school day, to a single front access point. Outside of school hours, numerous gates around the perimeter would be open to allow more convenient access to the school grounds. Currently, the conceptual plan looks to install the new fence at, or very near, the existing fence lines at the back yards of the Sierra Vista lots. There are a few options for the exact location for the fence and this proposal will highlight one of them.
This proposal is to locate the new security fence along, or near the existing asphalt path/track that parallels the existing fence line, and is approximately 15 ft toward the school from the existing fence. Arguments for and against this location are numerous and varied based on individual considerations but here are a few key arguments for locating the new fence along the existing asphalt path:
- Significant mature vegetation (hedges, vines, trees, etc.) is established along the existing fence and much of that would need to be removed to install the new fence along the existing fence line.
- There is an existing easement along the existing fence line for, at least, the sewar and internet/tv (Comcast) lines. The proposed fence line would keep this out of the school yard.
- There is a rule at the school that during recess the students are not to “go past” the track. This is currently enforced by the playground monitors. I don’t know the basis for this rule, just know it’s been there for a long time. The proposed fence line would be a physical barrier and eliminate the need to monitor this rule.
- Egress from existing back gates would be maintained for all residents along Sierra Vista with the proposed fence location. There are access gates planned for the perimeter fence that would be open outside of school hours. If a gate or gates were provided along the length of Sierra Vista that would also maintain a shorter path to the school for students from those residences.
- The proposed fence line would maintain a well used open path along the west side of the school grounds, but outside the perimeter fence, during school hours.
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Rick Hemphill
117 Sierra Vista Dr.
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