2010-02-26 TPARKERSCHOOL - Laserfiche WebLink

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every way a model process thatÓs been taken place, but it has certain potential for being just that. So my comments read as such: Good morning. My name is Art Souza. I am a property owner and an educator. What I would like to share are some after-the-fact, as well as some philosophic thoughts. In my role as a principal and superintendent, I have overseen the construction of a number of new public schools and existing-school renovation projects. In every instance the most important aspect of a successful school-building project is that the understanding, the commitment, and the support of the surrounding community is recognized and honored. It is through a process of honest, ongoing, and mutually respectful conversation and sharing of perspectives that we come to a point of trust and ensuring support. It is unfortunate that absent this spirit Parker SchoolÓs development process has become less than transparent, even contentious and adversarial. Simply put, many people in the neighborhood community feel that their concerns have not been respected. As property owners we request that Parker School respond to us like a neighbor, not a Wal-Mart. The second concept that builds successful schools is the belief that the school is indeed the heart of the community. Indeed it is in these classrooms that the very belief in community and the importance of Ðmaking a differenceÑ is instilled in our students. It is imperative that it be understood that in the process of building community, we do not at the same time destroy community. Parker School has expressed this commitment to community as a major component of their philosophy. I find it ironic that in their effort to establish their permanent campus the commitment to the smaller, neighborhood community is not evident. I would ask Parker School to clearly consider the consequences and the negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood as they move forward with their plans. In this spirit, and remembering just exactly where it is that Parker School is proposing to build their school community Î alongside, next door, and down the road from established, neighborhood residents Î I ask that the school fully honor the perspectives and the compromises requested by their neighborhood community. Thank you. HOUSEL: Thank you. ANSEL: IÓm a student at Parker School. And as a student, we use the community instead of the school as a place to practice sports. And building a gym and facilities to play sports would minimize the traffic flow coming in and out of Parker because we would have a designated area to practice sports on campus. This will allow us to always have a place to practice. A huge reason people donÓt look at Parker seriously about sports is because of our lack of utilities. When compared to other schools, we are very low in scale of sports. I think if we had a gym, people would take Parker more seriously for our sports, which would most likely increase our admissions. The privilege of having home games for sports would liven Parker SchoolÓs spirits in sport. Thanks. 15 EXHIBIT A