Property Values? That should not even be brought into the discussion. This is about your children. If you're concerned with a drop in property values it would lead me to believe you are not planning on being a part of the community for very long anyway.

Nesbit is a great school and has wonderful parents and teachers. I wouldn't want my child crossing Middle Rd. either. That's a busy and winding road and I have seen many people roll through the STOP sign in front of the school. I drop my child off every morning as well, even in 5th grade, so that isn't an issue.

Property values are strongly associated with school performance. When the school board and district tried several years ago to re-district half of Redwood Shores to attend Nesbit we did all the research and it showed that property values in general differ by about 10% based on a school's performance. I'm sure Nesbit has fine teachers and families however it is the lowest performing school in the district - always has been. Central school's API's are 935 and Nesbit is 835 - a 100 point difference is not insignificant and it will affect the values of all homes now south of Ralston so for residents with or without children, this re-drawing of attendance boundaries will matter. I also wouldn't compare our district to Palo Alto elem. schools - all but one of their 12 elem. schools' API scores are above 900.

Considering that 25% of Nesbit students are English Language Learners, 835 is an amazing API score. It has won the title of Distnguished School just like the others in the district. It speaks to the dedication of the staff, teachers and parents at the school. Unless you can make all the factors equal, the API score is not the best indicator of a school's performance, it's just a small part of it. The best indicator of a child's sucess is parental involvement, not which schools they attended.

838 was the API score from the 2009-2010 school year. Since then, over 165 students have moved out to go to the new Redwood Shores Elementary school and Sandpiper. 2010-2011 will be the first year in several that scores won't contain those students.

Comparing El Camino/Ralston /Old County with Middle? Seriously?

Marueen,

I'm sure that Nesbit is a fine school and you're right that 835 is great for a school of lower socio-economic status. However, school test scores ARE a key factor in purchasing a home, especially one that is as large an investment as homes on the Peninsula are. I don't have school-aged children, but I live in the area being considered for redistribution and this is a huge blow. We recently did some remodeling on our home with the intent that it would help us sell it in 2-3 to fund our long-awaited retirement. Thank you BRSSD! You may have cost us $50-$100,000.

Unfortunately the culture of a school or exploring parent involvement is not what home buyers or realters talk about when they decide where to purchase a house - they go by hard data like test scores and a school's demographic data. Savvy buyers (and they have time to be savvy in this slow real estate market) also know to look at "similar schools" comparison data - meaning how does a school stack up against 100 demographically similar schools. Nesbit's 838 API, when compared to 100 schools with the same demograhics (which evens the playing field) only scored a 4 out of 10 according to the CA Dept. of Education. Bottom line - a school's performance data factors significantly into purchase decisions and purchase price. The bond measure N was marketed to Belmont parents as a way to relieve overcrowding - by constructing and acquiring new classrooms (ballot language)...and now the school district has your $30 million plus in bond taxes and instead want to 'modernize' and redraw boundaries. No wonder people are upset.

WOW! Everyone is focused on test scores and property taxes. What about the kids? I haven't heard one comment about what is best for the kids? Nesbit is an amazing school. I have been there for nine years and my children have received an incredible education there. The teachers there are hard working, dedicated and excellent educators. It is a warm, generous community and with parents who truly care about the students, not property taxes or test scores. Yes, we have a different mix of "socio-economic" status in our student body, the diversity is one of the things that makes Nesbit such a wonderful place to be. An address our bank account doesn't make a person better than the next. Think about it people, what really matters at a school....the kids!

If test scores were really such a critical factor on property values then values in San Mateo would be much lower than Belmont and values in Foster City would be much higher - neither is true.
Also if you drive your kids to school you can not use the excuse about the danger about crossing El Camino. Remember that many Redwood Shores kids had to "cross" 101 and had to go much farther - they all managed to survive.

I agree, this can't in any way be about property values. When we discuss our schools, we are talking about what is best for our children, period. The majority of us are here for the long haul and care about the schools, not home sales. The issue is that Central, Cipriani, and Fox are ALL currently operating at/above max capacity, and there is no money nor space for additions. The bond was for repairs and much-needed improvements that will keep the schools up to code. Our children can't continue to be overcrowded within three schools while another one sits wide open. That will mean all the schools decline - and hey, all the property values will too, if you want to talk about that. Nesbit has been been treated as just a temporary holding place for every other school's oveflow all these years, and this can't continue either. I do feel for those who live south of Ralston because they have to cross a major road no matter where they go to school, and not having a neighborhood school leaves them susceptible to boundary changes. The boundaries are shifting city-wide, but small consolation to them I'm sure. It's a hard situation all around, but we have to think as a community and do what's best for the schools as a whole. We shouldn't be bashing Nesbit either. Test scores on a website mean little compared to actually seeing the school for yourself and talking to people who actually go there, plus test scores can always change as can perceptions of a school (Carlmont).

So what's best for our kids?
Taking them out of the school they currently attend to go to a new one farther away? Bye friends!
Shifting students from Cipriani to Central and then from Central to Nesbit instead of just moving half as many to from Cipriani to Fox or not moving any by buying Serendipity at Cipriani? The Superintendent's Boundary Committee did not consider less disruptive solutions and picked our neighborhood for all the options after just one short meeting.
Is it really the best way for our kids to just pick a few neighborhoods and tell them they're moving? What ever happened to trying to build up community support by explaining the good points of Nesbit or continuing to improve the attractiveness of programs there like GATE? Just telling folks that the superintendent's committee can't think of any other options besides "you move" is not a good way of generating more positive support for our public schools.

B-"it is a lot harder to teach a poor child" is a rather strong statement and reminds me of a time when African Americans were considered incapable of learning. It also reminds me of a time when women were considered intellectuality inferior to men. I wonder how well an English speaking child from a family that is financially stable would perform on a test administered in Spanish?
JC-You are correct that the "shores" students attended Nesbit when we achieved those test scores however K-1 students do not take STAR tests so I am unsure how those students attending Nesbit had any impact on our scores.
Nesbit has been a dumping ground for many years for students that no other school wanted and we openly embrace every child and family into our community. I feel truly sorry for anyone who is so closed minded that they would judge a child based on the financial income of their parents. Nesbit has a warm, loving and energetic population of teachers and parents that embraces diversity and one that works so hard to help children overcome any obstacle (including financial).
It takes a village to raise a child and I am glad that my children have experience the loving and nurturing community of Nesbit. Both of my children have always performed in the top tier on their STAR tests without fail. Parents love their children and care about their education no matter the size of their portfolio.

Parents care about their children, and their children's education. That is first and foremost. Residents of our community, who do not have children in our school system, should care about their property value. We are not the only members of this community.

Note: The bond that passed intended to fix up or build to address overcrowding issues. They are trying to spend that money differently. I did not vote for that.

Bottom line, the demographers report indicates Cipriani is overcrowded now because the Board wants to reclaim classrooms for specific designations. Their growth is only projected at 19 additional resident children over the next 3 years. Central is not currently overcrowded, nor will be, based on the three year projections of the demographer. Yes, we're only talking about 3 year projections here folks.

The options provided to the Boundary Committee were very focused on moving this one region of Central students (107 families) out of their school community, and another 45,54, or all 99 families (depending on the option), from Cipriani into Central. So, it is completely logical to move 200 families, with all the ensuing collateral damage to those they leave behind, for 19 projected spaces. Right. I moved here so my children could attend Central. Don't tell me they have to leave friends, teachers - FAMILY - to start again, without leaving our house. How would you explain that to my child? She loves Central. You tell her. I can't.

Nesbit parents / community - please note that this is not a personal attack on your community or school.

We have an established community at Central - we don't want to leave it. I'm sure the Cipriani families who are affected by this do not want to leave their community either. I'm concerned they may not even know about it. I am quite sure that other Central parents are not aware of the details of what is proposed here. I am willing to bet they don't want their community disrupted by so many people leaving and others coming in as well. The proposed changes would turn over more than half of the school. Quite a change for those who stay as well.

The Superintendent should create an independent plan that addresses improvements at Nesbit, if Nesbit indeed wants it. It sounds like many of you think your school is perfect as is. So be it. That needs to be a separate conversation. This is about the communities we already have and want to keep. No need to get nasty. Seriously, get over it. How can we make this a win-win for everyone?

KP, I wish to emphasize that the well being of the children IS the primary concern for Central parents. The discussion on this article quickly got sidetracked to less important issues.

"It takes a village to raise a child and I am glad that my children have experience[d] the loving and nurturing community of Nesbit" - This is exactly the point. How would you feel if your children were ripped away from their community? Wouldn't you do all you could to keep them there?

It is really hard to be a Nesbit parent and not take these attacks personally. I was at the meeting at Central on Thursday. Several parents, not all, made some pretty nasty statements about Nesbit. I agree that kids currently enrolled should not be moved and their siblings should also be allowed to attend. I think that the changes should apply to families and children that are new to the schools. I am also not saying that I think the boundary change is the only, or best option. What I am saying is that Nesbit DOES NOT deserve the bad press. Its a great school and the parents and teachers are very involved. Ask the superintendent how involved we are.

The district asked Belmont voters to support Measure N to relieve overcrowding at the elem. schools - it passed with 64% support and will give the district $35 million. This is the exact language of the Measure N: Elementary School Repair Measure. To continue quality education, shall Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District (SFID) repair/replace leaking roofs, construct, acquire, repair classrooms/facilities/sites/equipment, meet current fire/ safety codes, improve disabled access, provide science classrooms/additional classrooms to prevent overcrowding, upgrade technology, replace outdated electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and security systems by issuing $35,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, qualifying for State matching funds, with citizens’ oversight, no funds for administrators, and funds benefiting local schools?” All talk of boundary changes were suspended during the Measure N campaign so as not to create any controversy so the measure passes. Now that they have your $35 million, they will implement what was likely already long-planned...redrawing boundaries to shift families from Central to Nesbit, and primarily using the money for "modernization" and not acquiring or constructing new classrooms. The upcoming public meetings will allow parents to feel like they had a role in the process but the redrawing of boundaries decision is done. Just speaking from the Shores experience with over-crowding and threats of re-drawing boundaries.

At the meeting Thursday the board stated that they had looked at aquiring Serendipity and/or Barrett. The cost to buy and rebuild one or both schools would have compeltely wiped outmost, if not all, the money from the bonds. Leaving no money for the needed repairs and upgrades for the currently exisiting schools. The money is supposed to be spread across the schools.

I agree that the decision has most likely already been made and that these meetings are just for show. The Committee did seem open to other options. So, we will how thoroughly those options are explored. I know 2 people on the committee, so I'll be interested to hear updates from them!

Isn’t it time that people started showing up to the city council and school board elections, and made their voices heard by voting for people who can best represent them? The 2009 voter turnout was less than 30%! And stop voting Yes on every school ballot unless you see real results!

As far as Nesbit is concerned, I applaud Maureen and other parents for standing up for the school. If it is a school that is in our school district, why is it behind in scores as compared to other schools, and should we just ignore it? If everyone else in Belmont thinks it is a bad school, then why are we not stepping up to make it better? The comment “that 835 is great for a school of lower socio-economic status” is an amazingly ignorant and offensive statement to make about a school that is a part of our own community. I think B has offered some interesting ideas, and hopefully those will be considered at some point in the near future. Perhaps Central parents need to stop the Nesbit bashing, and start looking at more constructive solutions.

The thing that strikes me the most is that this discussion is just between Central and Nesbit. Does this mean that the Cipriani parents have the least to lose, whereas the Central parents have the most to lose?

I'm just wondering......about five years ago when my kids started Central there was a .program that bused kids in from other areas to attend Central. I believe there was a child from Redwood City and Palo Alto in each of my child's class. Are they still doing this program? Also, there were a lot of parents that lived outside the boundary area for Central that requested transfers and got them. I'm curious if all these approved transfers and other programs caused the over crowding situation? Also, if they did a head count on the number of kids that truly reside within the approved boundaries are we still over crowded? I missed the meeting last week but I'm planning to attend the next one to find out more. Could someone also post which streets/area they are considering changing the boundary line?

Belmont Mom's got it right. The proposal does not make any sense. A better proposal that truly addresses the capacity issue should be made. The proposal should not be targeted to move students around!

"The options provided to the Boundary Committee were very focused on moving this one region of Central students (107 families) out of their school community, and another 45,54, or all 99 families (depending on the option), from Cipriani into Central."

I support replacing the boundary committee with a capacity committee. The focus here should be resolving the under-capacity of the schools, not moving students to disrupt the community and residents' lives.

With the bond money, BRSSD should focus on helping the schools and the kids in the district, including helping Cipriani over-flow, helping Nesbit and helping kids going to Central not being separated from their friends!

At last night's Boundary Committee meeting, Superintendent Orta-Camilleri mentioned that someone in Central's area had evidently emailed the Board during the past week or so, stating that since Orta-Camilleri lives in the Nesbit area, a conflict-of-interest issue may arise. A Board member present confirmed that the Board takes such emails seriously, and that Counsel for the district has been engaged to see if the Superintendent needs to recuse herself from the rest of this process. Dr. Orta-Camilleri joked that she would be very pleased if she didn't have to help make boundary recommendations any longer.

The superintendent has nothing to gain or benefit from a re-drawing of attendance boundaries to Nesbit. However if a board member resides in the Cipriani area and he will benefit from un-crowding Cipriani by sending Central kids to Nesbit and moving some Cipriani children to Central - then that could be a conflict-of-interest because of personal benefit to his children. And that situation does exist now with board member Tashjian. He has recused himself on votes about school bonds in the past b/c of conflict of interest - this is even more so the case. Why haven't any Belmont parents asked about this?

Hi all, just a reminder that there's another meeting tonight to discuss the possible boundary changes. 7 p.m. at Central Elementary's multi-use room. I'll be there, and feel free to come talk to me or e-mail me if there's anything you want me to include in the next story on this. Thanks.

Local ABC affiliate Channel 7 KGO just had a news report on the boundaries issue, 5pm news 3/30/2011, FYI.

I don't see why this cannot be about property value as well. For people who don't have school-age children, why should they be the ones being sacrificed? This is like you were told that you may need to lose $10k and your kids, in the future if you have any, may go to a school with significantly lower score but you are not even allowed to disagree.

I was not able to attend last night's meeting. Was there any new development?

Laura, you left out the people who are not parents, and those who are parents of children who currently do not attend elementary school, who also spoke at the meeting. It seems that we are being deliberately left out of this process by the schools and the board.

Thanks Laura!

Thank you for replying, Laural. You are doing a wonderful job keeping us updated.

I went to Wednesday's meeting, thanks to you posted the meeting information. Then I found on BRSSD's web there was a special board meeting on 3/31 night in the district office. Just wondering what's going on in that meeting.
http://belmont.csbaagendaonline.net/cgi-bin/WebObjects/belmont-eAgenda.woa/wa/displayMeeting?meetingID=191

Is an email group or a forum organized for the residents who are concerned about this redistricting?

A couple of thoughts: 1) In SF, while intra district transfers are allowed, they can at any time be bumped by a child with "home field" advantage. This somehow seems slightly more fair and perhaps reduces the attractiveness of applying for such transfers given the uncertainty (2) Some San Mateo children are allowed in to Nesbit (e.g. Laurie Meadows area). Does this make sense given the current BRSSD lack of capacity challenge ?

I agree with the above comment......send the intra-district transfer students back to their neighborhood schools first. Then I'd re-verify the addresses of the students attending Central. I'm sure the number would change significantly. I just don't believe that all the students attending Central really live here in this neighborhood. I sure don't see them!

Please help me understand why, relocating 125 kids from Central, to make room for children from Cipriani is a solution???
Kicking out ONE child to make room for ANOTHER, is NOT a solution. I can't think of the name for it, but I'm sure there is one!!!
Central, Cipriani, Fox and Nesbitt, parents, if we work together we can find a solution that will be benefit all our children, schools, and community

Wow I am new to the area.My family and I moved from Wisconsin for several reasons the main one being EDUCATION. Our son has "special needs" and in the past has attended public and private schools in both areas $-$$$$$ the bottom line was basically the same.(ADULTS AND SOME KIND OF POLITICS) We were fortunate enough to find a great teacher that put all her heart and soul into her students needless to say she spoke against the "others"and was removed from the school. I decided to "home-school" which worked out great for my son however due to my personal health concerns I realized I would not be able to provide this service to my son for the long haul. My husband was born and raised in the bay area so we decided that the best educational opportunities for our family would be to return to the bay area.As for Wisconsin they are going through so much and the kids are falling further and further behind.Some schools don't even have books to send home with each child they make black and white copies on good days. My point is what is REALLY IMPORTANT I would like to BELIEVE OUR CHILDREN NOT OUR HOMES AND PROPERTY. Would you want a sub-standard contractor and architect to upgrade or remodel your BEAUTIFUL HOME? My answer is NO we need adequate EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO KNOWS THEY MAY BE YOUR REAL ESTSTATE AGENT, NURSE,DOCTOR OR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER WHO WILL BE PUT IN CHARGE SOMEDAY OF YOUR FINANCIAL AND LIFE CHOICES. We have failed them to long let's not "WAIT FOR SUPERMAN" SCHOOL

The word school was written but I ran out of space I was going to close it by saying SCHOOL SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY FOLKS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATING OUR KIDS AND NOT WORRIED ABOUT POLITICAL STUFF AND ALLOW US AS PARENTS TO GET IN THE FACE OF ADMINISTRATORS,BOARDS AND ANYONE WHOM HAS AN ISSUE WITH PROVIDING F.A.P.E TO ALL!!!! THE UNITED STATES IS NOT COMPETITIVE AS A WHOLE ON SO MANY LEVELS LET'S GET IT TOGETHER AND WORK AS A TEAM.

**Note: This is a letter to the editor of the San Mateo Daily Journal in response to an article I read. I am posting it here in the event it is not chosen to be published in the paper.
"Dear Editor,
I just wanted to comment on the article entitled "Concerns grow over possibility of moving students" from the 26th of March. This particular line struck me: "For some, the idea of attending Nesbit turned them off to the idea of change..." I think that it is a shame that parents are so worried about their children attending Nesbit Elementary. I attended Nesbit when I was younger and went on to graduate from California State University, Fresno with honors in 2007. I had wonderful teachers and I still make an effort to see them as frequently as possible. Without that basis for my education, I do not think I would be the person I am today.
Although I do not live in California anymore, my husband and I are planning to move back from Scotland and would be thrilled to have our son attend Nesbit. It is unfair for people to be judging something they have not experienced."

Despite being overseas, I have kept up with the news in my hometown and I was shocked to see my old elementary school tarred and feathered in such a manner. I would not be the person I am today if not for my educational foundation laid by the teachers at Nesbit.

The Superintendant, Emerita Orta-Camilleri, committed to creating an Alternative Solutions Committee. She declared this at the March 31st Board Meeting at Central. The community looks forward to her 'prompt' follow through on this commitment and wants the Boundary Committee disbanded.

Boundary Changes does nothing to solve the long-term capacity problems. It just replicates the never-ending cycle. More families will still move into Cipriani neighborhood. The Board can't keep chopping off Cipriani neighborhoods to send them over to Central or Fox!! And then in turn chop off Central neighborhoods to send them over to Nesbit. Eventually, there will be just a street left to go to Cipriani and similarly for Central. It just won't stop. Neighborhoods need to be preserved. 'Alternative solutions' for LONG TERM are needed

The board will be having a discussion this Thursday to review the work of the Boundary committee. The discussion will take place on April 7th , 7:00 pm. meeting at Fox Elementary School. I was told that I have 3 minute to make a statement if I want to.

This is just not fair. We have purchased our house just with the thought that my kids (5 year old and 0.5 year old) will go to CENTRAL school. They just can not change this boundary because of overflowing at Ciprani and move Central neighborhood student to Nesbit. I do not want my kids to go to Nesbit and I strongly oppose to this idea as a newborn's mom.

With this new change they are forcing us to move to some other good school area and with that either we have to short sale/foreclose our existing house because of the existing market condition.

Rather than changing the boundaries of Central School district, they can move those extra kids to Nesbit who are staying in RENT @apartment in Central School district area. This will save the property owners money and kid's future.

When we pay so high mortgage just because our kids should go to Central school district, we should get something back too.

Can someone please clarify to me what is so wrong with Nesbit? Shouldn't you be thankful enough that your children are at least getting an education while in other countries, children might never get the chance to go to school? Do you not realize how lucky your children are?

This is not about Nesbit. This is about respecting people's preferences and the rights of properties.

Families in Central area prefer letting kids Central. Their preference should be respected as you prefer Nesbit. Furthermore, they make sure their kids going to Central by investing a big chunk of personal wealth and living in Central area. Redistricting is to take away their personal investments.

In other countries, taking away others' belonging by force is called robbery. I used to think Belmont is called it the same.

My but the sense of entitlement here is astonishing. Newsflash everyone - the real estate market's badly kept and dirty secret is that a particular home purchase is NO guarantee of admission to a particular school. The chumps who overpaid for their house because they were told and *wanted to believe* that they would attend their school of choice can't blame everyone else for their own misinformed decision about where to buy.

Of the 70+ comments posted in response to this article, I have only read a small number of alternative suggestions. They include:

* Change Nesbit to a charter school or International Baccalaurate school
* Change Nesbit to a middle school & the others to K-4
* Change Nesbit to a Spanish-English Immersion magnet school
* Return intra-district transfer students to their neighborhood school
* Transfer kids to the under-capacity schools without moving anyone else from their school :-)
* Give preference to families who own their home instead of rent

One could question if these are feasible (or even legal), however at least they are ideas.

My point is - while I applaud everyone for paying attention to this matter, I'm shocked at how many of you are district-bashing and how few of you are actually trying to solve the problem. The reality is the board has to make a decision and, if history repeats itself, 99% of what they are going to hear at the next board meeting is complaining. If you really want to help, I implore you to offer your support to find a solution (old or new) that addresses both the short and long term needs of our community - even if it's a solution which doesn't personally benefit you.

Has the district considered having am/pm kindergarten at Central and Cipriani to create some classroom space?

i think am-pm kindergarten is a great idea. perhaps the problem still lies there tho, since kindergarten is only 1 year, and those students will need somewhere to go in 1st grade and beyond. here is a 3 part solution.

1. Add portables at Fox for Cipriani overcrowding. Fox has room. Grandfathering for existing Cipriani kids/siblings can be instituted. this directly addresses cipriani's overcrowding problem without displacing other neighborhoods.

2. Have a short term lottery at Central for overflow.

3. Make Nesbit a K-8, and add Gate there too, since BRSSD needs a Gate school. This makes Nesbit more desirable, and helps Ralston overcrowding considerably. If a Belmont school was K-8 when we moved here, I would have chosen it for my kids. Kids don't have to grow up too fast. Middle school-age kids get lost at a big school at a critical time in their lives. K-8 builds a very warm sense of community. Nesbit has room, and instead of tearing apart their community to make it a 5/6 grade or similar, the Nesbit community is stronger.

How much would it cost to add 2 classrooms in Fox? Can the district spare a few millions from $35 millions and its matching fund?

The comment about the sneeches is right on. Let's face it. It's not about crossing El Camino or property values. Some people genuinely think they are better than others! What does this teach our children?

God has created zillions of people and each individual is completely different than others. Each has their own minds, own ideas and own morals. We should respect to that unless it is grossly wrong or completely crazy. There is nothing wrong that some parents will love Nesbit and some will love Central. It does not mean one is superior or inferior. It about the style and environment they like. Now if people do not want a change in their loving schools what is wrong in that.
I respect those who respect others feeling. Here we all are complaining on others opinion. If the same time we will invest in giving a new idea to School Board, now it would have been 100 ideas instead of 100 comments of accusation.
I think making Nesbit a middle school is a very good idea. This may attract some parents like me who will not prefer to change their schools much... And yes it is a very serious problem that we should also think about middle school and these overcrowded elementary schools' students will come to middle school in another 5 years.
PARENTS: Please post your Ideas...

Hi everyone,
First, I want to thank you all for your comments. I know this is a very sensitive issue for the Belmont community and I appreciate those who have chosen to share their opinion on the matter, as well as those who read the article and choose not to comment. With that being said, I'd like to take a moment to remind everyone that we are talking about people's kids, teachers, families and friends here; there is no need to let this discussion get any further beyond that point. Several parents have expressed concerns to me over the direction these comments have taken, so for those who continue to comment on this topic, please do not personally attack anyone or any group of people.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at laura.dudnick@patch.com.
Also, quick reminder: the next school board meeting is TONIGHT at 7 p.m. at Fox Elementary in the Middle Room.
Thank you,
Laura

I am interested in getting opinions from Nesbit parents about the K-8. I fully agree with and understand that you don't want to make it a Chinese immersion school or make it solely a middle school. You want to keep your elementary school intact just like everybody else. But how would you feel about your kids going there an extra 3 years, and would you be welcoming to parents who came across town so that their kids could go to a K-8?
I am really just trying to get honest opinions on this idea.

How about building a new school K-8 altogether @ Ralston near twin pine park (or somewhere in between Alameda and El camino ) or there where number of elementary school students will be highest by 2013.
Pros:-
It will take care of 2nd middle school in Belmont which is on demand
It will decrease the teacher to student ratio (1:29/30) in overcrowded schools
It will stop displacement of existing students from their existing schools
It will be new school so parents can not complain on scores or teachers' turnover
Struggles:-
There may not be enough fund with the school district to do this. Parents can start a separate donation fund to help BRSSD here.
Teachers and students have to work hard and prove for initial couple of years that they are good like other school in BRSSD

Your new ideas/cons are welcome...

To the Mom, Why build another school. There were two schools that the School District had to shut down at one time. Actually three schools. One was reopened a few years ago, and it was Cipriani. The other two schools were made into Barrett Community Center and a special education school. There is neither rhyme nor reason to be building another school.

As to everyone else, we need to work together to try to figure this problem out. All the schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District are EXCELLENT schools. This is trying times for our school district. By being hostile towards each other does not create a solution to the problem. My kids went to Nesbit School and graduated from Ralston and Carlmont with honors. Our children are our important resource. We live in a violent world right now. WHAT kind of example are YOU setting by being hostile towards each other? We are very lucky that the school district is not trying to shut down a school, like in other school districts.

Hi all, just want to emphasize that there is no need for this discussion to include references to weapons. Thank you.
Laura

well Chris seems you are you are watching. I hope to see you tonight. I would be happy to see you work towards finding a solution to the problem we all face.

Regarding Bob's 10:46 am comment that Nesbit has a "high turnover of teachers": I would like to know where your statistics/facts are for this comment. Are you not aware that many Nesbit teachers, as well as the principal, left Nesbit last year in order to staff the new Redwood Shores Elementary school with an experienced, highly-competent principal as well as teachers? Naturally, since the principal at Nesbit was moving to RSE to open the new school, many Nesbit teachers chose to interview for a position and went through a full interview process in order to be selected to teach at the new school. There are also many Nesbit teachers (who are also very experienced and highly-competent) who chose not to interview because they also love the school and the community and didn't mind the adjustment to a new principal. I doubt the decisions of those teachers who chose to go to the new school had little to do with wanting to leave the Nesbit community. Also, I have heard that Nesbit currently has teachers that have formerly taught at both Fox and Sandpiper who have chosen to come to Nesbit when they could have gone to schools elsewhere in the district.

Hi everyone,
I am the regional editor for the Peninsula Patch sites and work with Laura Dudnick.
Thank you for your comments on this very important issue. Please remember to keep the discussion on point and be respectful and non threatening, or risk being suspended from being able to further comment on the site.

Not sure if everyone hears this. Based on what I heard from Brian Matthews, who sits the school trustee board and the boundary committee, in today's board meeting, Nesbit's boundary has been a "problem (for him)". Nesbit has a big campus because all of the Redwood Shore kids used to attend it. Now Redwood Shore has two elementary schools and Nesbit's extra capacity becomes a "problem". He further said whatever the alternative is, should address this "problem".

How come when the plan for Redwood Shore was made, this "problem" has never been discussed?

I understand now. My family, life and investments in the house should be disrupted and sacrificed for "greater good", which is sacrificed to fix the mistakes and poor planning made by bureaucrats.

By the number of comments and the hellfire being spewed out here, you would think that we were talking about which kids are going to get into Harvard versus going to San Quentin. Reality check people: We're talking about ELEMENTARY schools here. Your child's biggest accomplishment at Nesbit or Central will be learning how to tie his or her shoes and to avoid the temptation to eat paste. Get a grip! Oh, and despite what you may think, your child is not special.

If having to drive your kids to school is the biggest problem in your life, Bob, I envy you.

It's not about being sensitive to rejection it's about having fair boundaries. Nesbit has the largest school with the smallest boundaries. Blame whoever but the bottom line is Nesbit needs more families. The school is always put down by it's lack of donations & involvement. However it's due to part of having such small boundaries. It's clear as day when you look on the maps. Bottom line I welcome any family to visit Nesbit and see how wonderful we are.

CHANGE..........People in general are afraid of change in their lives. I have always tried to teach my daughter that change is good and we should look at it as a positive opportunity. I understand that leaving friends and the school you love is hard and not a first choice. But, life is always changing and always will. We as parents need to teach our children that change is a part of life but it is positive. If you are a close community, there is no reason your children cannot stay friends with old friends and make new friends as well. Change also means you may need to drive your children to school. Life is not fair, and things happen. We need to teach our children this. Not stress them out and scare them. This is not about the parent, this is about the child. Fight for what you want, I agree. If it doesn't happen, then we need to make our children feel comfortable and positive about the changes.

Now the hidden agenda becomes opaque. We have a better view of the issues behind the boundary redraw proposals.

1) Cipriani overflow, urgent, has to be resolved, high priority
2) Nesbit small district due to poor planning, not urgent, low priority

Families in Central have nothing to do with these two issues. Yet they are asked to make the biggest sacrifices, if not most of the sacrifices, in these proposals. These boundary redraw proposals are definitely NOT WIN-WIN proposals. How could a collaborative community be built on unfair manipulation?

Given such unfairness, I could see families would respond differently to these changes. One is sending kids to private schools. Another is moving out of BRSSD, or trying to transfer kids to another districts. Those who stays, may forget about this upheaval, or if they have no choice but stay, they may withdraw away from the community.

Sugar-coating the consequences does not help making the right decision.

I attended 4/7/11, and there was a gentleman who presented really detailed information re: safety for children crossing El Camino Real. The superintendent and the board decided to have 2/2 with the Belmont Council. I just wonder if this gentleman (sorry, I forgot your name) can email the information to the Belmont Council? This included statistics about accidents, running red lights, comments from police offiers, etc. I am not sure that the city council is aware about this possible increased small children traffic across El Camino.

The entire council's email address as well as each member's individual email are all on the following page:
http://belmont.gov/subContent.asp?CatId=240000200

I encourage those who concerns about safety and increase traffic on Ralston/El Camino to also contact the council members.

Elaine

Elaine, a lot of discussions posted under a different article. you may want to post your question there.
http://belmont-ca.patch.com/articles/parents-students-advocate-for-nesbit-as-redistricting-discussion-heats-up

Nesbit is a terrible school; when we transfered out to Central it was a world of difference. All of you defending Nesbit are not living in reality - home prices are directly related to school district and school scores. When you have to spend over $1 million to live in an area that provides the quality of education you had as a child... well you don't put up with #$$% like this. Be prepared for a nasty class action.

Amazing! I'm so glad I went to Nesbit and it was such a terrible school that I graduated from college WITH HONORS! Gee, Nesbit must have really been terrible to not prepare me so well educationally.