What a week: Highlights, milestones
What a week it’s been, filled with noteworthy events that have marked milestones, comings and goings. Allow us to offer a few favorable - and unfavorable - takes on our week in review:
• Thumbs up: To voters in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District for passage of Measure C, a $490.8 million bond measure that will upgrade facilities in our reputable district over a 15-year period. A strong citizens advisory committee is on hand to ensure the money is spent wisely. Note to district officials: Please refrain from coming back to us with another bond proposal for at least another 50 years. We’re convinced two measures in seven years is plenty.
• Thumbs up: To the Blach Intermediate School community for its touching and just tribute to one of the best and most beloved principals in the history of the Los Altos School District, Arthur Harris. Harris, who died of cancer April 27, was given a gracious farewell with a June 6 ceremony and the dedication of the school library bearing his name.
• Thumbs up: To El Camino Hospital for its long-delayed but memorable groundbreaking ceremony, held Thursday, at which the hospital brass appropriately saluted the founding board of the hospital, including member Billy Russell, still alive and well. Russell could be seen digging in his chrome shovel for the new groundbreaking with the same zest he displayed back in 1958 for the first groundbreaking. Russell’s good cheer and optimism were readily apparent, reflecting the can-do attitude of hospital founders.
• Thumbs up: To Superintendent Rich Fischer who will retire from the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District at the end of the school year. Fischer was the recipient of a large send-off barbecue June 7 at Cuesta Park. The presence of city leaders from across both Mountain View and Los Altos testified to Fischer’s positive influence during his decadelong stint as schools chief. The affection and gratitude displayed during the event left no doubt that Fischer will be missed and Barry Groves, his successor, will have some big shoes to fill.
• Thumbs down: To the Los Altos Hills City Council for giving the unanimous go-ahead last Thursday to begin forming their own school district. In the wake of Los Altos School District efforts to return public education to the Bullis-Purissima School site, the council’s bid seems unnecessary. The much-discussed “term sheet” pushed by the council is more of a wish list from Bullis Charter School than an overall plan for returning public education to town.
