By Measure A campaign thanks for support
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the campaign volunteers who worked so incredibly hard to try and pass Measure A last week. And a special thanks to all the voters who went to the polls and voted yes: 64.7 percent of the voters in our community showed their support for our children and our future by voting to pass Measure A.
In any other type of election, that would have been a resounding victory.
Now the election is over and it is time to move on. The Los Altos School District will be facing a series of very difficult decisions in the coming months as they try to maintain their excellent education program despite a reduced staff.
They need all of our support if they are to succeed.
Dick HasenpflugClaudia HevelDebbie TorokKLASS Campaign for Measure A
Why no obligation to support education?
My husband took my son with him to vote at our local polling place. My son was very excited to be “voting”‘ for the first time and especially for something (Measure A) so important to kids.
As parents discussed the loss, I found it hard to explain to my son why it had not passed.
For the first time since we moved here five years ago, I did not feel good about this community.
I understand that there are seniors that have legitimate limitations on income and for them there was an exemption. However, it is really disappointing that people that have lived in this community for years and raised children here, do not feel a continuing obligation to support education for the next generation of children.
If only parents with children in the Los Altos schools vote in favor of education bond measures, then our public school system becomes a private school system. I don’t believe that is the intent.
I sincerely hope that the schools will try again and perhaps next time we can more broadly publicize the exemption provision.
Valerie TaglioLos Altos
Complacency lost parcel tax election
Despite the strong “yes” turnout, Measure A failed for the lack of 165 votes. Since the election, I have encountered many “yes” supporters who didn’t make it to the polls: they are shocked that the measure didn’t pass and concerned that Los Altos will now rank nearly last - 31 out of 33 - among Santa Clara County school districts in tax funding per student.
Because of 1972 Gann Limits, Los Altos receives significantly less funding (per student) from the state than Mountain View, Sunnyvale and other local school districts.
Many “amenities” have already been cut: PE, art, music and many classroom aides are almost completely parent (not tax-payer) funded. The only way to narrow the gap and fund the basic curriculum teachers is to pass parcel taxes.
Perhaps the community has become complacent due to the excellent teaching, the strong parental involvement and high scores we’ve enjoyed for years. With 40 fewer teachers than last year, it will be hard for the school district to deliver this year’s high quality and difficult to meet the always rising state standards.
Many good teachers will leave for nearby school districts with lower class ratios and more resources. Our school quality will fall.
Maybe that’s what some school supporters have to experience before they will be motivated to take their support to the polls.
Teresa KerstenLos Altos
Take pride in diversity of designs
I am confused about the “cookie cutter” attitude that seems to pervade the thinking of some Los Altans.
Why must every home be a one-story ranch style with shake roof and cross-bar windows to be acceptable?
This style may appeal to some, but frankly it does not appeal to me.
Los Altos should take pride in diversity and individualism and what better way to express artistic creativity than in architecture. If they prefer every house on the block to look the same or “fit into the neighborhood” why not buy a tract home in a nearby community where prices are lower and all homes look like the one next door.
I find it rather tiresome to be constantly reading about some meddlesome neighbor dictating to the newcomer or remodeler what their house should look like and to take offense if it does not “fit in” with some personal opinion of style.
Let’s vote on whether or not we should all own a silver grey Lexus.
Myra OrtaLos Altos
Decision to use trauma center
As one of the emergency department physicians on duty March 14 at El Camino Hospital I, along with several others from the hospital’s critical care staff, rushed to the front entrance of the hospital immediately after it was reported that a temporary office building there had collapsed, critically injuring one of the construction workers.
Immediately after we initiated our first emergency treatment measures, the Mountain View Fire Department and paramedics arrived on the scene.
In charge of the situation from that moment on, it was they who made the decision to transport the man to the trauma unit at Stanford.
The paramedics made the decision because it would take only 12 minutes or so for the ambulance to reach Stanford. Once there it would take only a short amount of additional time for on-duty trauma specialists to assess his condition and start treatment.
Minutes are precious in a trauma and can often make the difference between life and death. Sadly, in this case, although the injured man was treated at a trauma center, he died the next day from his injuries.
When paramedics are called to the scene of an emergency they will transport the patient to the nearest hospital’s emergency department or to the nearest trauma center based on their assessment at the scene.
Santa Clara County has three designated trauma centers: Stanford Hospital, Valley Medical Center and San Jose Medical Center.
The community should know that for emergency treatment in non-trauma cases, all hospitals, including El Camino Hospital, are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are staffed and equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies, from minor to critical.
Sandra Mills, M.D., FACEP
Emergency Medicine
El Camino Hospital
