Alhambra School Decision Applauded

I heartily applaud the Alhambra school board’s decision to consider expanding its existing high schools rather than condemn property to build a new high school. There are those who say the district should build a new school while the funds are available, but I hope they meant the district should have built it in Monterey Park or Alhambra, not in Rosemead. There is no vacant land available in Rosemead, and a new school would require bulldozing close to 300 homes.

We try to teach our teen-agers responsibility for their actions in all areas, and cities should likewise be responsible for their actions. The current council majority in Monterey Park recognizes this and has tried to control rapid residential growth. I feel sorry for the people of Monterey Park if they fail to prevent the developers from re-taking control of the city. I feel sorry because your home could be the next target for the high school you would need for the burgeoning school population you would be allowing.

The residents of Alhambra had better watch their city, too. According to the newspapers, Alhambra’s general plan projects a population increase of around 20,000 people. This means thousands more children will need schooling. Will they be schooled where your home stands now? Maybe you are willing to give up your home for “progress.” If not, you had better take a hard look at what may happen.

Our legislators are taking a long, hard look at eminent domain procedures for schools. We feel that in multicity school districts, the city with the greatest population growth should give its own land to educate the population it encourages through increased residential development. The injustice of dumping the responsibility on another city because it may have cheaper land, with elderly, low-income or minority residents, must be stopped.

MARGARET CLARK

Rosemead