Deconstructing Measure A work

Harbor View Elementary School has had as its motto the “Three R’s”

for years. All students are required to know these and to live by

these whenever possible: respect, responsibility and readiness.

I challenge the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and its

leadership (in the future) to respect the right of Harbor View

parents to be informed in a timely manner so that their positive

participation in a possible school closure or delay can be assured.

I challenge them to take responsibility for their delaying tactics

and for their untimely notification to the parents (two weeks before

school starts) that school will be delayed a week and library and

computer labs will be delayed, as well.

I challenge them to be ready to answer any Harbor View parents’

needs with the upmost courtesy and willingness to comply, whatever

those needs might be. If they are transferred, make sure the

transfers go without a hitch; if they are escorted to class through

the construction site for young children, then so be it. If more

after-school tutoring is necessary, then they should act ready to

accommodate that, as well.

These are examples of the “Three R’s” as taught to my kids since

day one. I hope the school district and leadership can, in the

future, practice what they preach. To get a voicemail from the

principal two weeks before school starts and have to make

arrangements for a one-week delay that quickly has to be hard on any

good parent.

Had we been informed in June or July, it would have been much

easier from a problem solving and participation standpoint, as well

as to plan for the one-week delay.

MIKE PALITZ

Corona Del Mar

I have been reading with interest your articles regarding the

delayed opening of Harbor View Elementary School. I am curious about

what is going on at the other schools in the area. I drive by

Mariners and Newport Heights elementary schools every day, and they

are very torn up. What are they doing? Are they also going to be

delayed in opening, too? They sure don’t look like they will be

ready. I’d love to see information in your paper regarding these

other schools.

CHERYL JOHNSTON

Newport Beach

Measure A renovation work is just like any other construction

project, subject to changes in the schedule in spite of carefully

made plans. Moving students to another school for only four days

would be much more disruptive than simply delaying the start as the

principal and district have chosen to do.

As a member of the Kaiser Elementary Site Based Committee, I can

say we, too, are in the hectic, stressful process of renovation, and

I want to emphasize that the efforts of all concerned, principal,

staff and Measure A staff, have been to work as a team to expedite

the work in a timely manner.

As to the safety of the staff and students, there is no question

that this is a top priority at our site. We’ve all worked as a team

to make tough decisions and are confident that all the efforts and

hardships will bring about the desired effect, a renovated school

that provides our students an optimal learning environment.

We are “hanging in” and confident that everyone will be proud of

what’s been accomplished.

NIKI PARKER

Chair, Kaiser Elementary

Site Based Committee

Costa Mesa