Foster City Islander Article - 03-21-2007
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Charter Public |
Phyllis Moore, President, Foster City High School Foundation |
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Foundation Responsibility
For more than three years, the Foster City High School Foundation, a diverse group of parents and other residents of all ages, has worked diligently toward the goal of building a high quality, tuition-free, public high school on the vacant 15-acres in the center of Foster City, which was previously and is still zoned for educational purposes.
The results of the City’s 2006 survey supported the Foundation’s efforts even more, since 80 percent of those responding requested a high school on the 15-acre site because it would make Foster City an even better place to “live, work, and visit.”
The City had previously approved and was ready to contribute redevelopment funds to construct an indoor pool with shared public use at a tuition-paid, private high school on the site, which did not materialize, leaving the site open to the current effort to establish a tuition-free public high school.
With our large supporter base, evidenced by 886 residents who requested a high school for the 15-acre site in the City’s survey, by over 200 families who have contributed financially to support the Foundation’s efforts, and by over 1000 subscribers who have asked to receive our email newsletters, the Foundation has become the de facto representative for all the residents who want to see a high school built in Foster City. The Foundation takes this support seriously, and has taken responsibility to do everything we can to make the high school a reality.
The planned school will benefit our entire community, by offering a local solution to our national educational crisis, providing new educational choices for students attending San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) schools, enhancing and promoting Foster City’s positive image, providing valuable educational opportunities to a broad range of people of all ages in the community, and enhancing property values for all Foster City homeowners.
Establishing a public high school in Foster City will require the combined efforts of the Foundation and its many supporters, the full support of the City Council and City staff, and the cooperation of the SMUHSD. By working together, focused on the same goal, we can build a priceless community asset that will foster community through education and serve a broad range of educational needs, including shared space for Adult Education, Community College and University courses while providing a new educational choice for our high school students.
