Developer plans to sue Valley Chino school district over school opening
A major regional developer has threatened to sue the school district over its decision to open the new school in the Preserve for students from throughout the district.
The threat of legal action by the Chino Development Corp., a member of the Lewis Group of Cos., comes after the school board on Nov. 6 voted to relocate the K-8 Briggs Fundamental School to the new school in the Preserve, where it will retain the name Briggs.
"We are deeply disappointed to have to take this action. However, after months of meetings with the school board members and district staff it has become apparent that the district has chosen to disregard our contract with them to open the school as a `home school' for residents of The Preserve at Chino," said Randall Lewis, executive vice president of Lewis Operating Co.
"While we continue to be hopeful that we can reach a resolution, we are rigorously pursuing our contractual rights."
The school district responded Nov. 7.
"It is disappointing that Lewis Operating Corp. and Chino Development Corp. have gone forward with legal action," said district spokeswoman Julie Gobin. "The goal of the discussions between Chino Valley Unified School District and the developer over the past months has been one and the same - to open the school."
At issue is maintaining priority enrollment status for Preserve residents, Lewis company officials said.
After the latest school board decision, Preserve area residents will have some measure of enrollment priority for one year, though after a year, the new Briggs school will revert to an open-enrollment districtwide school of choice, with enrollment by lottery.
This is yet another example of the disconnect residents in the Preserve are experiencing with city and school district officials. The agreement between the developer and the district clearly state it is to be a neighborhood school. Residence of the Preserve have we given clear thought about our current civic ties?
In our closest points we are 4 miles away from a grocery store in Chino, 6 miles or more from the closest school, several sites in the Preserve have been selected for increase density, taking away some of our executive and medium density housing, we have an "affordable" housing apartment complex thrust on to us. From our home's in the Preserve we can access the main part of the city by just two roads. I am trying very hard to cope with a city government that believes a lemonade stand in an empty field is progress but not allowing our neighborhood children to go to our neighborhood school is intolerable! ESPECIALLY when you factor in the fact that we, in the Preserve pay an "extra" tax for infrastructure. We may be 8 miles away from city hall but we did not give up our rights as a community. We may be small NOW but we WILL grow, have we given ample thought to becoming our own city/township? Taking control of our affairs rather than allowing a less than proactive government and school board to continue to trounce our needs? Would Lewis Corp. be a partner in that exploratory venture? I am ready to begin the process of having real local control, creating a civic government with our needs in mind, supporting, welcoming, and actively pursuing business, and ensuring that our children go to our neighborhood schools!
David
One more thought ... I think your unhapiness rightly lies with the school board ... if you are thinking of a break from current ties, consider separating from the school district, not the city. This school board is mostly Chino Hills leaning in major decisions and use of money. I'm sure when all their newer schools are paid for, they will ask to have their own school district. Chino definitely needs more school board representation - with members who actually enroll their children in their neighborhood schools!
I was voicing a greater frustration (that I and many of my neighbors share) with our current governing bodies, in general. This is just another one in a series of poor decisions made regarding our community, this one just happens to be by our school board. Looking at the bigger picture, there is a mosaic of problems and poor decisions being and that have been made regarding and affecting the residents of the Preserve. These issues will and are leading to a schism that is greater than the 8 miles that separate us from our government seat. As, I said this is one, but Im sure not the last, in a line of frustrating decisions that would be different if there were local control or even a local voice. It behooves the us, residents of the Preserve to have local control of our schools and civic affairs.
I was voicing a greater frustration (that I and many of my neighbors share) with our current governing bodies, in general. This is just another one in a series of poor decisions made regarding our community, this one just happens to be by our school board. Looking at the bigger picture, there is a mosaic of problems and poor decisions being and that have been made regarding and affecting the residents of the Preserve. These issues will and are leading to a schism that is greater than the 8 miles that separate us from our government seat. As, I said this is one, but Im sure not the last, in a line of frustrating decisions that would be different if there were local control or even a local voice. It behooves the us, residents of the Preserve to have local control of our schools and civic affairs.
Sorry that things are not going well - I have lived in this city for 20 years - the city council has gone through many different changes but has been very respectful of their citizens. The quality of life has been good - and I give the council credit for a lot of hard work. Streets are maintained, police are responsive - it is a safe place to live. Now the school board is another story. Equity in access to quality education does not happen. As I mentioned previously, they lean towards the hills. Look at the trouble poor Don Lugh High has in getting a stadium. Chino High gets short shift - a cheap remodel is occuring now. Again, the hills vocal parents get what they want. A separate school district is needed. Just my opinion!
I would agree that more often than not, there is a group of parents who's voices get heard a little louder. I actually am in education and work in such a district. My question to you would be, if parents on the Chino side are not speaking up now about their children what will change after a split? I can surmise that a Chino School board would do as a Chino city council has done as vote themselves in to another term by council vote rather than election because there is no one willing to step up and run or get involved. I am glad you speak very highly of the council. As you said you have seen Chino change quit a bit in 20 years, well that may be the issue. In the Preserve many of us have relocated from other cities and counties and have an idea of what a city "could " be like or should be. We are living through a "Preserve Specific" Plan that we did not have a had in creating or amending. Our community including the Preserve school is being handled by people and documents that many of use never had an opportunity to participate in. The real struggle is coming from a situation you pointed out. The School Board, as you suggest, is very Hills leaning, that ability comes from the inactivity of Chino residents. One's non action empowers others to take action and more of it. Well the residence of the Preserve are active and vocal, we will not allow a school board that represents us, not to advocate for us and watch for our best interests. The same goes for city government.
Quality of life is good here but it can be better, streets are maintained and it is a safe place to live but being a strong, financially diverse, community that attracts highly educated citizens is what we are not....and I do not believe the City of Chino /Chino-Valley School Board can provide that for residence of the Preserve.
I think it's unrealistic to expect that you wouldn't be living through the "Chino specific plan" that was created by someone else. Of course - the plan was made before you moved to Chino! This city is also doing well - evolving from farmland to business parks and retailers that have maintained city services for all of us. I appreciate the good decisions made by our council.
Also, as a 15 year resident of Chino - moving here from the San Gabriel Valley - we also had to be patient until stores were built. That is the price you pay for moving out to the "boonies or sticks."
Eventually, stores and other amenities will be built. With this poor economy, you will have to wait for developers to get back on their feet.
Lastly, it is really good for our city that residents like you and the other preserve residents have decided to move here. Your determination to fight for what is right (neighborhood school) is to be commended. Welcome to Chino - there is a rich history of hard working people who have turned the town into a large, diverse city. Even though it is large, it has a small town feel which I love. Chino was the home for George Putnam and a Laker Girl - LOL. Our area has a lot to feel proud about ...sports programs at Chino Hills and Ayala High are wonderful. The music programs at Chino High and Ayala are highly respected. Don Lugo High produced baseball star Chad Cordero. Chino High produced baseball star Jeff Blum and football star Sedrick Ellis. Services for kids are excellent as evident by the city of Chino receiving recogntion - "100 Best Communities for Youth" award. Welcome again to the Chino Valley!
For clarity I am writing about the "Preserve Specific Plan" I do not think it is unrealistic for the council or other civic organizations to ask the newer residence for feedback and input for our specific areas plans..not the city plan but "Specific Plans" created for small areas of the community, wether it is the East Chino Plan, College Park, or Preserve Specific Plans. I would offer a thank you for the residence and community leaders who laid the ground work for the initial steps but its time to take a pulse and ask residence now that we live here...Is this where we still want to go? Is this what the community envisions?
I would agree the Chino Valley is a beautiful place, I do nearly all my shopping in the Chino Valley, the issue is I do NONE of it in my city, of Chino. I have seen business like BJ's move from a planned site in Chino across the street to Chino Hills. I have watched Home Depot and JC Penny Shopping Center sit there with no new attractive business moving in, Yet, across the street at The Commons two fantastic restaurants, and big name business come in with several others lined up. We have a less than pro active approach to attracting new business. There is great potential here in Chino, my feeling is we are not leaving up to it, especially in the South.
We can do better, we can do more to attract new business, be can do more to attract a professional and educated population, we can do better at redeveloping our blighted areas, we can do better at increasing the standard of living in Chino, we can do more on informing the citizens on how to participate and be active. If I where in high school or middle school and needed something to do after school i would LOVE chino:) Unfortunately I am an adult, and I need to buy groceries, clothes, home goods, and to eat out. I need paved roads and streets lights and a school for my kids to walk to....I understand Rome was not built in a day, but it's greatness was not built by those who looked out and said its good enough.
My company offered me 3 locations to choose from for relocation. The main reason my wife and myself chose to relocate from Ventura to the Preserve was that we were promised our kids will be attending the new Preserve school. One would be crazy not to jump at an opportnity to not only give our children a better education but to attend a brand new state of the art school. We have 3 kids. Two of them already promised to attend the school when it opens up next year. But what's going to happen with our newborn in about 5 years when she is ready to go to Kindergarten? She is NOT guaranteed to attend because the district decided to bring kids from Briggs over. This is not why we chose to move here. It would be a HUGE disappointment and mistake for the district to allow this to happen. I am glad people like David N are voicing their opinion. I am glad the developer is suing the district for what is due justice for all the preserve residents.