Naming of the Preserve-area school in the Chino Valley Unified School District
By Neil Nisperos
Staff Writer
Cal Aero Preserve Academy was chosen after school board members wrangled over several options. The name pays homage to the old Cal Aero Field -- Chino Airport -- where several thousand pilots trained for World War II in the 1940s.
The name decision drew disappointment from some in the community, some of whom were hoping for a simple name like "The Preserve School," that would reflect the neighborhood.
"Everyone including our children for the past four years from when it was just a dirt lot to completion have referred to the site as The Preserve School," said Preserve area parent Mark Glaudini.
He added, "I just don't get it ... I think we as a community will continue to call it The Preserve School."
Board president Sylvia Orozco said she was getting a lot of comment via email and four name suggestions that came up frequently.
"These were Aviator Academy, Cal Aero Field School, Main Street Academy, and The Preserve School," she said.
A number of people had hoped for the board to name the school after Dona Silva, a former Chino Valley Unified board member from 1985 to 1997 who died three years ago.
Several of Silva's supporters, including recently resigned board member Bill Klein, spoke on Thursday in favor of naming the school after Silva, who was active in the community as a member of the local PTA and founder of the Chino Valley PTSA Council.
"Dona was always there when we needed her," he said.
The unanimous vote also came after the board heard public speakers and boardmembers mulled over the name "Aviator Academy" after the idea was introduced by board member Fred Youngblood.
"I'm fine with the (approved) name," he said. "Our primary objective was to get the school open and it's a beautiful facility."
Still at issue for the school district is to finalize the school district plan for the Preserve school's boundaries, which is larger than envisioned by Lewis Operating Co., the developer of the Preserve community.
The district expects to continue discussions with Lewis over a final agreement on the school's boundary area, which board member Michael Calta hopes would not lead to further litigation by the developer.
The board wanted to open the school as an open-enrollment facility. But Preserve resident rallied against the decision and the developer of the Preserve -- Lewis Operating Co. -- filed the legal challenge against the plan.
The district earlier this year eventually dropped the district-wide plan, and arbitration ruled in favor of Lewis opening the school as a school for neighborhood children. The school district was ordered by a judge to open the school in the fall.
Students may be able to transfer to the school if space is available.
The first day of school is Aug. 31.
neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com
909-987-6397 ext.356
Leave a comment