The observation by the Point Loma Cluster Schools Foundation that the San Diego Unified School District’s “one-size-fits-all solutions” (“Meaningful cluster role in budget process,” Nov. 19 Beacon, page 6) cannot adequately address the individual and diverse needs of our schools is timely and accurate. No two schools, like the neighborhoods they are located in, are alike. The district recently modified its one-size-fits-all template to expand 16 high school stadiums by deciding not to install permanent lights at the Point Loma High School stadium under Prop S, the $2.1 million bond measure passed in November 2008 to repair, renovate and revitalize 181 neighborhood schools. The district’s one-size template for stadium expansions calls for the addition of thousands of bleacher seats, permanent lighting, additional playing fields and, among other things, a press box with an elevator at each school.?The prudent and neighborly decision to not install permanent lights was a big step in meeting the unique needs of the school’s confined urban campus, which is cradled by Loma Portal, one of the city’s oldest and most established residential communities with unique homes that date back to the 1920s. The neighborhood has narrow streets illuminated by cement pole street lights in the middle of intersections and lacks the infrastructure to accommodate an expansion to night-time events. The district is also re-evaluating a restroom/concession/ticket facility that would have had a multitude of permanent and devastating effects on Loma Portal, and ultimately the school. With respect to safety, the district has committed to conducting traffic studies to resolve currently unmanaged and growing traffic around the high school, which is especially hazardous during large events held at the stadium. Pro Point Loma, a community group dedicated to promoting and protecting our students, schools and neighborhoods, applauds the district for realizing that one size does not fit all, and including all individuals and groups in meaningful and transparent participation in the process. We look forward to the district’s continued good-faith deliberation and individual consideration of construction at Point Loma’s neighborhood schools as it works to arrive at appropriate case-by-case solutions that will serve future generations of students, families and homeowners in the community.??Patricia M. Walsh Pro Point Loma [email protected] www.propointloma.com