Las Virgenes Unified School District deserves plenty of support from everybody

On April 30 the city council of Calabasas held a meeting to an overflowing audience. The majority of the audience came to voice their opinions and encourage the city council of Calabasas to "do the right thing."

Children and retired citizens of Calabasas alike spoke passionately of the benefits of a "joint use agreement" between Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) and the Calabasas Parks and Recreation Department. Constituents urged the council to approve funding of $375,000, which would enable the opening of the new Steele Middle School in Calabasas.

This funding will enable the new middle school to open this fall and elevate the tremendous overcrowding at A.E. Wright Middle School.

Above and beyond, this funding will facilitate the Calabasas Parks and Recreation Department by making the recreation facilities of the new middle school available to the entire community.

The leadership role taken by the mayor of Calabasas, James Bozajian, is to be commended. The benefits to the city of Calabasas were only too obvious to all in attendance, and our mayor appeared dedicated to the support of the children of our community as well as the community at large.

The mayor’s "let’s get it done" approach was not only a refreshing change to the obvious self-serving politics of some councilmembers, but segregated the mayor as a real leader of our community. No strings, just good business for all concerned.

All citizens of Calabasas will be negatively impacted if the city council fails to act in an expeditious manner and immediately approve this funding. LVUSD must present their budget in a few short weeks and needs a "no strings" commitment from the city council. Funding the joint use agreement will not be gift, but a "win win" scenario.

All of us have directly benefited from the outstanding reputation of LVUSD. This is what has fueled the growth of Calabasas in recent years. I, like many of my neighbors, moved to Calabasas for the schools. This growth has continually stimulated the property values of our area, benefiting all Calabasas homeowners.

Our school district is facing a major budget crisis through no fault of it own. The current shortfall is a result of the major deficit in the state of California. LVUSD has a $3 million shortfall and desperately needs to raise funds to avoid cutting major programs, in addition to delaying the opening of our new middle school.

We as citizens need to set an example for our children. This is not about "I" but about "we." As citizens we need to put back and all take some responsibility for our community. A tax-deductible donation to the Las Virgenes Educational Foundation (818) 222-1506 will send a message to our children, our neighbors and our city council.

Schools, parks and the community as a whole—that is why we moved to Calabasas and what gives our city the outstanding reputation it deserves.

Brian E. Jablon

Calabasas