Stelle visits groundbreaking

Alice C. Stelle The Las Virgenes Unified School District was paid a visit by one of its longtime supporters at the Lindero Canyon Middle School groundbreaking earlier this month.

Alice C. Stelle, 87, is an LVUSD founder and one of the school district's visionaries. Her presence to help signal the start of the middle school renovation provided an emotional shot in the arm, school Superintendent Donald Zimring said.

LVUSD named its newest middle school in Calabasas after Stelle.

Lindero Canyon in Agoura Hills is undergoing a $34-million renovation that will result in a modern campus with new classrooms, offices, library and science building.

Construction is being handled by Team Concept Development Services, which built the new Yerba Buena Elementary School in Agoura Hills.

Stelle's influence as an educator in the region goes back to the 1960s when she helped property owners decide whether to join the newly unified Los Angeles school system or form their own district.

Some residents wanted Las Virgenes to join with L.A. district, but Stelle and others on her side argued in favor of local control.

Stelle became one of the original LVUSD board members and went on to serve on various county and state school board associations.

In addition, she and her husband, Mac Stelle, were instrumental in the formation of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.

The Stelles raised five children of their own and numerous foster children. She has been active in foster parent associations and has served as a court-appointed child advocate for years. She also serves with numerous civic organizations in the area.