Photo Town Crier File Photo

Mountain View High athletic booster volunteers and associated student body members are gearing up for the school’s first night home football game Oct. 26.

Mountain View High School students rejoiced last week after the Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the school’s first home night football game.

“Students are excited to be a part of history, because this will be the first time we’ve ever had a night game on our campus,” said Katelyn Thompson, a member of Mountain View High’s Associated Student Body, in an email to the Town Crier.

Approximately 25 neighbors attended the district board’s Oct. 8 meeting, many of them voicing concerns about traffic, noise and other disturbances that the game could generate and fearing that the temporary lights would lead to permanent ones.

But that didn’t sway board trustees, who voted 5-0 to approve the event.

Despite her yes vote, Trustee Susan Sweeley agreed with neighbors that they didn’t have enough of a voice in the process.

“I’m really disappointed that the (Mountain View High Athletic) Boosters didn’t involve all of the neighbors,” she said. “That was one of our No. 1 requirements.”

Superintendent Barry Groves recommended that the board approve the one-time event.

“I believe that the district has the plan and capacity to successfully implement this game,” he said.

The high school’s Athletic Boosters and Associated Student Body joined forces to plan the Oct. 26 game in conjunction with Spartan Pride Week.

“I think that having the lights brought to our school is going to create a tone of spirit, not only around the game, but to our school as a whole,” Thompson said. “Having the game be at home and during the evening will create an amazing amount of school pride.”

After receiving input from neighbors, the Boosters tweaked their plan to provide four Mountain View Police Department officers and dozens of volunteers to help control traffic and parking.

Boosters representative Mike Johnson said no-parking signs will be posted at Blue Lake Square and Bruckner Circle at 2 p.m. Oct. 26, and several dozen volunteers will direct traffic, oversee parking and herd attendees into the event.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and the lights should be off by 10 p.m., Johnson said.

“It’s not about the issue with the lights – it’s about the kids,” said Toure Carter, Mountain View High varsity football coach. “The kids need it, and it helps school spirit.”

Oct. 26 is a minimum day for students, and the ASB has planned an afterschool parade featuring class floats, clubs and decorated senior cars, and a picnic with face painting and a game of Capture the Flag.

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