Results tagged “Preserve” from Chino Valley Now

Parents expressed disappointment Tuesday after a newly elected school board member announced he was recusing himself from discussions about next fall's opening of the Preserve school.

James Na, who was elected to the board in November, accepted campaign contributions from Chino Development Corp., the school's developer.

The developer, a member of the Lewis Group of Cos., filed legal action against the Chino Valley Unified School District after board members in November voted that the school have open enrollment.

Lewis officials said the action went against a deal that indicated the school would open as a resident-only neighborhood school.

Several Preserve parents -- who attended a public-comment period to discuss the litigation prior to Tuesday's closed-session district meeting -- said they believed they had Na's support.

"So I have great sympathy with Preserve residents, but this is the announcement I have to make today," said Na, who declined further comment.

Randall Lewis, executive vice president of Lewis Operating Co., said he did not know exactly how much Na received from his company.

"It was probably a few thousand dollars," he said.

Lewis said he was surprised by the district's move to bar Na from discussions about the issue.

"It's not unusual in California that candidates get support, and we'd like to understand what the district policy is, and we'd like to make sure that the district policy is being applied fairly to all the board members, on all of the issues," Lewis said.

Mark Glaudini -- a Preserve parent in opposition to the district's decision for open enrollment -- said Na should be allowed to take part in the issue.

Glaudino in November unsuccessfully ran for a board seat.

"I'm kind of shocked at James Na not being able to take part when president (Sylvia) Orozco and (board member) Michael Calta both have children at the Briggs school and they're allowed to vote on the issue and that directly impacts their kids," Glaudini said.

"But because he accepted campaign contributions, then he can't have a vote or say on what's going on with the Preserve situation. I think that's ridiculous."

Lewis Group hopes to overturn the decision -- which transplants students in the K-8 Briggs Fundamental Elementary School about 10 miles away in the northwestern part of Chino to the Preserve community in southern Chino.

A number of Briggs parents had opposed the decision because of transportation and enrollment space issues.

Preserve parents and area residents said they were also worried about enrollment space, decreased property values as well as increased vehicule traffic that would come with the operation of an open-enrollment school.

"We have enough children that will attend the school," Preserve resident Sejal Gangula said. "As far as bringing in kids from another community, it lowers our property value because it's supposed to be a neighborhood school."

The city is encouraging parents to sign children up for the after school program at the Preserve Community Center. The program offers homework assistance, cultural enrichment activities, educational opportunities and recreation activities.

The center is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. This program is open for children in grades 1 through 6.

Currently fees are $110 per child per month or $30 per child per week, plus a $5 per child registration fee. Effective Jan. 1, the fees will increase to $140 per child per month or $38 per child per week, the registration fee will remain the same. Reduced rates are available for those who qualify. Register today at the Preserve Community Center which is located at 15800 Main Street in Chino, space is limited.

For information, visit the Community Services office located at the Preserve Community Center or call (909) 464-0789.

The city's new community center in the Preserve is now open at 15800 Main Street. The new center offers after-school programs, a gym, special classes and more. Hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, call (909) 591-9834.

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.