By Robert Haugh
This Thursday, January 9, the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) Board of Trustees will review a proposal for their facility master plan.
Included in the plan is the removal of green space at several elementary schools, including at Haman Elementary where the facility master plan calls for removing the Westside Little League “farm” field and the adjacent play structure.
The two areas would become additional parking.
Many locals are bringing up the urgent need for open space and fields, especially for youth sports.
“The district’s plans also impact[s] practice fields at other schools. Removal of our facilities with no plans for replacement leave us in a position where it could lead to the collapse of our organization — this is what happened to the former Homestead Little League when they lost access to the Pomeroy fields,” stated Westside Little League President Linda Pascoal.
According to Pascoal, Westside’s player enrollment numbers have been increasing the last few years – serving several hundred players every year between spring and fall seasons.
“Not only would the proposed plan be obviously detrimental to our organization, but to the community as a whole. Our children need green spaces and organizations like ours to thrive,” adds Pascoal.
Pascoal believes that decreasing enrollment numbers for students in the school district doesn’t support some of the growth being proposed.
”While we understand modernization might be needed in some places, it should not be to our detriment. Elementary student enrollment is expected to continue to decline. Other nearby school districts in our County have been closing schools, yet our district plans to increase the size of many of our schools — the data does not support this.”
“The green space in our small town is already limited, why limit it even more? The City has limited green space … which is why we currently only have one City owned baseball field available to use for our program in the entire City.”
Westside and other local youth sports organizations have repeatedly had challenges with scheduling fields over the years, with many utilizing volunteers and their own funds to maintain and update fields.
The full agenda is available here.
The public can attend in person or through Zoom. Letters can be sent to: boardmembers@scusd.net
Here’s the proposal for Haman:
[…] City’s process is a lot different than the Santa Clara Unified School District’s (SCUSD) roll out of their facility master plan earlier this […]
Well it’s pretty simple. If I lived in SC and was President of Westside, I’d ask my major teams take batting practice from center field where errant balls would “accidentally/inadvertently” make contact with the windshield of those Administrator’s autos that are parked where children have played for decades. In all seriousness, for those that think politicians give two shits about your comments or feelings I have news for you, they don’t. The decision has already been made in the minds of these administrators/Board members. You don’t work on a plan for years and not anticipate the potential fallout. The only way minds will change is if they think this could cost them votes in an upcoming election. Funny how this comes right after an election cycle??? Trust me, it’s all smoke and mirrors. Enjoy the s**t show!
[…] The Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) Board of Trustees meets tonight and the fate of some of the Westside Little League fields hangs in the balance as previously reported. […]
This article is a misrepresentation of the master plan for Haman. The master plan eliminates 2 modular classrooms and the old kindergarten wing and creates a new kindergarten wing and secure playground. It replaces the old out of date MU and admin buildings with new buildings.
As for the parking lot the current parking lot is not adequate nor safe for drop off and pick up to the extent that the parking lot is not used for pick up creating a chaotic parking situation on the streets around the school. This proposed parking lot appears to be a significant improvement.
There also appears to be a new ball field proposed.
This plan will provide a massive improvement to the antiquated facilities at this site and will provide an excellent campus environment for the students for the next 20-30 years.
In the current design, there are 3 ball fields. In the new Proposed design, there are two. It’s quite clear. There is no new ball field in the Proposed design. If you read the text under each Phase, there is no mention of a new ball field.
More parking needed? For whom? Teachers and students have increased 7 – 8% from 2000 – 2019 while administration have increased 87%. (Not to mention administrators make a lot more than teachers.)We need less over head that only causes problems for our students and doesn’t really help teachers, from what I can see. Let’s reduce the size of the schools administration so we need less parking and have better schools. Quit feeding the beast. JMHO.
https://www.americanexperiment.org/district-admin-growth-10x-greater-than-student-teacher-growth/
I would like to say that Westside LL has access to other fields , They use Carmichael park as well , And Homestead LL did not close due to lack of field space , it was taken over by Westside and tossed aside , with no plans to fix broken team signs , took none of the Homestead colors , images , They basically act like Homestead did not exist , So to me They are getting what they have given , Let the schools take what they need for the Students . Westside will have to figure it out
The concession building still says Homestead…
Genuine question, how does one little league just overthrow another?
A former president still regularly umpires, so clearly there’s still love between the two groups.
Lastly, it sounds like you probably spent some time volunteering for Homestead. So you would know how much work is done by a group of all volunteers. And there’s simply never enough hours in the day, especially when we have to deal with fights that shouldn’t be happening instead of focusing on other things. If there’s something you see that needs help or improvement (like the signs — vandals continue to break even after attempts to repair) you should volunteer your services.
I’ve lived in Santa Clara for 69 years and in this neighborhood for 40, and now my grandkids go to Haman. I’m concerned that the school is being treated like a park. Many Haman parents agree that the field should be for the school, not just for Little League. If the school needs more parking, classrooms, or a bigger cafeteria, and the district can make that happen, then that’s what the school should get. Students should always be the priority when it comes to building on a school site. It’s not the little league property to demand use over school student use. The school is not a community park. There are plenty of parks in Santa Clara where the little league can find a sponsor and contribute to the community and build their own fields.
As a long time resident, you must see how popular the green space/field is for students during recess. Don’t those students deserve to continue to enjoy that?
As a parent and now grandparent that’s been in the neighborhood for 45 years, with kids and grandkids at Haman, I’m really concerned about the idea that the school should be treated like a community park. The field is for the school, not just for Little League games or other events. If the school needs more parking or bigger classrooms, and the district is okay with that, then that’s what they should get. Education should always come first. Sports are important too, but not at the cost of our kids’ learning.
The West Little League also needs to do a better job managing things on the weekends. It’s frustrating when cars block driveways, or people are disrespectful by urinating on the street or trees. We need to find a way for both the school and the community to work together, but the school should always come first. Let’s focus on improving school ratings and the kids education.
What about my tax $ paying for all of this? What about the bond measure bb that has increased my taxes to support students and schools. I call BS. If my kids can’t use it as a community asset, let’s see what happens next time SCUSD cries poor mouth!!
Considering the attitude the board, especially the then president Fairchild, gave members of the public over the use of fields and fees I am expecting much of the same beratement and admonishment. How dare you question the authority of the school board. 😂😂😂
The school board definitely needs a refresh. They put public complaints over the needs of district, staff, teachers, and students.
You’re not wrong. Still gotta fight for the kids.
Thankfully there’s a new president, one that has more respect for people, even when she doesn’t agree with them.
As a homeowner in the Haman area, I am very concerned about the School district’s propsal to pave over our community park. Santa Clara used to tout a park in each neighborhood. Parks and playareas are a selling point, when folks are looking for a home. parks provide safe open areas for children, places to play ball, places for families to be outdoors and to meet neighbors. A parking lot will negate all those spaces and all the opportunities for exercise and learning.
why does Haman need more parking? Most of the young families in my immediate neighborhood, send their children to private or alternative schools, but they all use the Park and participate in Westside sports.
This school district needs to reconsider this plan and find alternative parking and facility solutions.
Thank you for your response. It is disappointing they haven’t communicated these plans with the residents as it does greatly impact them. I hope you’ll write to the school board and speak either in person or via zoom at the meeting on Thursday.