SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT, WED. 5/11/11 AT 7:30
OLD CITY HALL 2134 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD UPSTAIRS
Dear BPC Community Members,
At last night's meeting, neighbors and community members voiced serious concerns around an increase in noise, traffic, and parking congestion with the addition of REALM Charter Middle School. There was also heavy criticism expressed relating to the accelerated pace of this process, and a sense that the community involvement was "an afterthought."
As a Charter School under the control of the BUSD, REALM is exempt from zoning issues and city-wide public comment hearings. Despite that fact, Founder and Executive Director, Victor Diaz, promised to create additional meetings for community members.
A core "cart before the horse" issue that was raised was the fact that a Traffic Study will be completed in the coming months, but this will be after the School Board votes on REALM's use of the site at 2038 8th Street. The vote will take place tonight at Old City Hall during the School Board Meeting.
In response to this complaint, the REALM Board and Staff suggested frustrated or concerned individuals attend tonight's meeting to voice their objections to the building and the process. At the conclusion of the meeting, many in the room applauded Mr. Diaz's vision for education, and simultaneously, implored him to slow-down the process so that the community could have their concerns addressed more comprehensively.
John Carlstroem
Head of School
Black Pine Circle School
510-644-1023 ext 12javascript:void(0)
jcarlstroem@blackpinecircle.org
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•REALM CHARTER SCHOOL POTENTIALLY AT 2023 8TH AVENUE, MEETING TONIGHT, TUESDAY, MAY 10TH 6:30 pm:
We were recently informed of a public meeting tonight at 2023 8th St. at 6:30 pm, to discuss the potential locating of a new Charter School in the former Thoratech Building on 8th Street between Addison and University. The meeting will take place at the 2023 8th St. site. John Carlstroem and a few other BPC parents will attend, along with most of our neighbors. We've reached out to the Mayor's Office, as well as Council Member Daryll Moore to better understand the concept of this project. What we've gleaned is that the proposal includes a Charter Middle School (100 students added per year in years 2011-12,-2012-13, 2013-2014) with a total of three-hundred students by 2013-2014. Additionally, there may be one-hundred 9th Grade Students at the REALM site during the 2011-2012 year, while the West Campus building on University is being finished.
We'll let you know if additional times/ways to comment about this school become known to us. Call or email John Carlstroem with any questions. jcarlstroem@blackpinecircle.org
