Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (October 29, 2004)

Voice story on CAT survey too negative

Editor:

I am a member of the Mountain View-Whisman School District's Communication Action Team (CAT) and helped work on the survey and the analysis of the survey results.

I was very disappointed to see such a negative article in the Voice about the survey results. The results were overwhelmingly positive in establishing that the schools, teachers and the district are doing very well in communications with the students, the parents and the community.

While I wasn't present at the presentation at the school board meeting, I know that the report included the fact that more than 90 percent of the parents who responded are pleased with their child's school and that more than 80 percent felt that the schools are effective in teaching the core content courses.

There has been a steady improvement in the already effective communications. Why didn't the article in the Voice mention any of that? The article made it sound as if people are generally having communication difficulties. This is simply not true.

I was disheartened that the Voice would choose to put such a positive survey in such a negative light.

Nancy Cavagnaro
Leona Lane

More articles about Mountain View history

Editor:

The Oct. 15 article written by Nick Perry about the old Mayfield Mall was so enjoyable to read.

As a longtime resident of Mountain View who enjoyed and made many visits to the Mayfield Mall, it surely brought back a lot of memories for me.

I would like to suggest that other articles like this one be published periodically in the Voice so that other residents, both new and old, could see some of the buildings that used to be here in Mountain View, i.e. pictures of the old Foothill College when it was on El Camino Real and pictures of El Camino Hospital when it was being constructed in the early 1960s.

I'm aware that our History Center in the public library houses this information too, but with such limited hours, more Mountain View residents would have the ability to read the articles and see these pictures if printed in the Voice.

I think old and new residents alike would find articles like this very interesting.

Virginia Hays
E. Dana Street

Yick good, but supe search needed

Editor:

A few weeks ago, I went on the record in support of the idea of a search for a new superintendent for the Mountain View-Whisman School District Board. My reasoning was based in part on my understanding of my own ignorance about the present superintendent, Eleanor Yick.

In my limited experience since then, I have found Yick to be intelligent, articulate, open-minded, creative, and professional. Her knowledge of the district is deep and wide. But I still support a search process because we need a consensus as much as we need a well-qualified superintendent.

I have spoken to people whom I deeply respect, who have worked with diligence for the interests of our children. Some of them do not wish to take money from our classrooms to search for a superintendent who may or may not do a better job. Some of them are not happy with some of their experiences with Yick and hope to avoid her taking a long-term role.

Eleanor Yick cannot be taken for granted. I can only say the very best about what I have seen from her. But it is the primary duty of the school board to choose the superintendent. If the district is to operate in a professional capacity, it needs to approach the choice of a new superintendent in a professional way. That calls for a search as soon as possible.

Chris Kuszmaul
Horizon Avenue

League has election information

Editor:

With 16 complicated state propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot, plus local ballot issues that will affect our community for years to come, voters may not be sure what a yes or no vote will mean.

The League of Women Voters has the answer: www.smartvoter.org.

The League's comprehensive Web site provides objective, nonpartisan background information on local, state and national candidates, and on California ballot issues.

On Election Day, anyone who needs polling-place information or has a problem casting a vote can call the League office at 941-4846 for assistance. The office will be manned from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. when the polls close.

Pat Frischmann
League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mountain View

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