On Nov. 27, the Cupertino Union School District voted to open a fifth middle school. Many feel that the immediate areas surrounding the new middle school are the ones affected.

It is easy to concentrate only on the immediate surrounding areas but in actuality, the entire district will be affected. Even though the problem at Kennedy will be solved, new problems will now be created. The CUSD Board stated that their decision was based on such factors as quality programs, the whole child and the need to eliminate the overcrowding at Kennedy. They failed to look at the other cities that are also a part of the school district. They failed to look at the effects on the children who reside in the city of Los Altos and all the children of the many other cities that attend the Cupertino Union School District.

We may not have to relocate our children to a new middle school but we now have lost a valuable program currently available for sixth graders. This program has allowed parents the option to either move their child forward to a middle school program or to retain them in their current elementary to complete their sixth year at the elementary level. The attempts to have programs that benefit a whole child has just been eliminated. The input by all leaders of the other cities affected should have had an opportunity to relay the concerns of their community.

The southern portion of Los Altos, though small in size, is still a part of the Cupertino Union School District and it would be highly inappropriate that changes within the entire CUSD population that do affect us, were ratified without our voices being heard.

Lynette Eng

Los Altos

Draeger’s need not fear

LAH anti-pathways matrons threatening “never to shop at Draeger’s again”? Why do I think Draeger’s need not tremble over this empty threat? Incidentally, Toni Casey and her minions could use some elementary lessons on both constitutional history and anger management control.

Claire L. Pelton

Los Altos Hills

Thanks to history exhibit helpers

Thank you for the article on “Los Altos: Celebrating 50 Years of Community,” the exhibit now on at the Los Altos History Museum (Dec. 11).

I would like to thank the exhibit steering committee: Taleen Alexander, Marge Bruno, Kris Casto, Madelyn Crawford, Kathleen Drotar, Allyn Feldman, Randall Hull, Lee Lynch, Lynne McCreight, Don McDonald, Doug Moore and Carol Tefft.

I would also like to thank our sponsors, The Ranch and Coldwell Banker.

Valorie Cook Carpenter

exhibit chairwoman