Letter from Save San Mateo High School
Dear Friends and Alumni of San Mateo High:
Through your support of Save San Mateo High School! we have strengthened our resolve to rehabilitate and modernize the most historically significant public school buildings in our community. Once again, it is time to renew this vital commitment, and we need your help. Since filing the lawsuit in mid-September, the Steering Committee has worked diligently with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and our attorney, Susan Brandt-Hawley. Although the court hearing on the permitted uses of Measure D Bond funds will not be until February, filing the lawsuit forced the District to undertake the EIR process, and in this regard we have been victorious in bringing the issue to the public!
You can assist our efforts in two very important ways:
First: the 45-day public review of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) will commence with the expected publication of the DEIR on February 1st. A public hearing on the DEIR, the proposed demolition/replacement project and the rehabilitation alternatives, is scheduled for March 7th at 7pm in the Burlingame HS cafeteria. The public may submit written comments on the DEIR until March 15th. It is critical that we take action!
Please contact the School District NOW and request a copy of the DEIR with attachments and courtesy copy SSMHS! at savesmhs savesmhs@hotmail.com :
Mr. Robert Arnold, Associate Superintendent/Business Services San Mateo Union High School District 650 North Delaware Street San Mateo, CA 94401 Phone: (650) 558-2204 or E-mail: barnold@smuhsd.k12.ca.us http://www.barnold@smuhsd.k12.ca.us OR, contact his secretary Beth Fleck: Beth Fleck http://www.bfleck@smuhsd.k12.ca.us
Please take time to review the DEIR and write comments related to the Historic Resources and Rehabilitation Alternative portions of the report. Reflect on the consequences, ask tough questions and if the document is faulty, confusing, deficient or in any way inadequate, then say so explicitly. Submit your written comments to Mr. Arnold by March 15th.
All public comments, questions, and concerns will be addressed and incorporated into the Final EIR. This is our chance to go on record and save these buildings from certain demolition!
Second: Consider making a generous donation at this time. Thanks to you and other loyal contributors, we have made it this far! In order to keep the pressure on the School District to pursue legitimate retrofitting alternatives, we must sustain all of our ongoing efforts. Your continued financial support is indispensable to the ultimate success of both the lawsuit and the preservation of San Mateo High School!
Please send a check today C/o: Save San Mateo High School! P.O. Box 5512 San Mateo, CA 94402
The heart of our educational community lies within the proud and beautiful walls of San Mateo High School, but its fate rests on our shoulders. Thank you very much for making a second century of SMHS history possible!
Sincerely,
The Steering Committee for SSMHS! Lori Thoreson Rutter (Class of 1971), Keith Weber and Maxine Terner (founders of SSMHS! and local residents), Susan Cohn (attorney and local resident), Claire Mack (SM City Council and Class of 1953)