Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 23, 2012

SCHOOL (cont. from page 1)

as well as through individual 
outreach. Our voices were 
heard by our Superintendent, 
District employees, consultants, 
and the Board and it made a 
HUGE difference! There is continued 
work to do to ensure 
that construction begins at the 
earliest possible date, that the 
new construction is executed as 
proposed, and that additional 
funding is found to complete 
the field.

Most of the information came 
directly from the Organize Sierra 
Madre Schools Facebook 
page (https://www.facebook.
com/OrganizeSierraMadreSchools). 
I did provide the 
breakdown of the proposed 
construction dollar amounts 
and what will be included in the 
plan. One correction is that it 
should say 22 classrooms total 
not 20.

The subcommittee will work to 
fine tune their proposals for the 
PUSD campuses as part of the 
Facilities Master Plan (FMP) 
and present it in late July to the 
School Board for a vote. Sierra 
Madre Middle School's construction 
budget is not expected 
to change.

Below is a breakdown of the Facilities 
Subcommittee's recommendations 
to the school board 
for the Facilities Master Plan 
as it relates to the Sierra Madre 
Middle School campus:

$33,000,000 Current Facilities 
Master Plan budget

$30,921,355 Targeted Facilities 
Master Plan budget

$32,087,400 Revised Facilities 
Master Plan budget

$2,766,045 over budget

$1,600,000 reduction/cuts 
<--projected savings Two proposed 
cuts are:

1) Delete regrade of play field 
$1,000,000

2) Value Engineering throughout 
$600,000

What will be included at the 
Middle School:

• 4 Classrooms are back 
(Chinese dual immersion program 
(currently beginning 4th 
grade at Field Elementary) will 
move to Sierra Madre Middle 
School in 2 years) 

• 20 Classrooms total

• 2 science labs 

• computer lab 

• Cafe/Multi-purpose 
Room building 

• library 

• gym 

• 2 alternate/flexible use 
classrooms 

• New Parking and onsite 
drop off 

• New electrical to site

The revised FMP also had cuts 
to the Sierra Madre Elementary 
campus. The $909,389 in cuts 
were as previously proposed 
with no changes. SME will not 
get the upgrades/renovations 
to the Auditorium (stage, lighting) 
and Kitchen. The SME field 
project (field house and bathrooms) 
has also been cut. Still 
moving forward: the PreK and 
4th/5th classroom wing (in construction 
now) and the HVAC 
for the Auditorium. 

While some parents were not 
happy about the proposed cuts, 
their priority had been the 
Middle School project. They are 
very happy that the Auditorium 
will receive the much-needed 
A/C! The project is funded at 
$4.7 million.

Parent Maria Decker shared the 
following, “HUGE thank yous 
to the parents and residents 
who have worked so hard in recent 
weeks to advocate for the 
Middle School at both District 
meetings, as well as through individual 
outreach. Our voices 
were heard by our Superintendent, 
District employees, 
consultants, and the Board and 
it made a HUGE difference! 
There is continued work to do 
to ensure that construction begins 
at the earliest possible date, 
that the new construction is 
executed as proposed, and that 
additional funding is found to 
complete the field.”

3


Mountain Views-News Saturday June 23, 2012 

National Parks Expert to Speak at Sierra 
Madre Library

If you are one of the many area residents who will travel to one or more of the 397 national 
parks, monuments, battlefields, and historic sites in the National Park system, then you need 
to start your trip at the Sierra Madre Public Library.

Christopher K. Jarvi, former Associate Director for Partnerships and Visitor Experience for 
the National Park Service (NPS), will share little known facts and unique personal stories at 
10 A.M. on Saturday, July 14 at the Sierra Madre Public Library. 

Blending his experiences with beautiful visuals of the National Parks, Jarvi will take his audience 
on a behind the scenes tour of our most important natural sites, relating stories of their 
colorful history and their future challenges. July is National Parks and Recreation Month.

Jarvi has personal ties to Sierra Madre. His mother grew up in a house on the corner of Sierra 
Place and San Gabriel Court, his grandmother Ethel Davis owned the building in which the 
Safeway store was located, at about where Windsor Lane intersects Sierra Madre Blvd, and 
his uncle Loren Krabill ran the Green Frog Market, now known as Howie’s Market.

During his tenure with the NPS he had nationwide responsibility for Partnerships and Philanthropy, 
Interpretation/Education, Media Development, Volunteerism, Tourism, Youth 
Programs, Technical Assistance, Long Distance Trails, Wild and Scenic Rivers and, the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail.

Jarvi served as the president of the California Parks and Recreation Society and the president 
of the National Recreation and Park Association. 

The Sierra Madre Public Library is located at 440 West Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra 
Madre. For more information please call (626) 355-7186, or visit our website: www.sierramadre.
lib.ca.us.


Currently, students are attending classes in portable units that were placed after the 
original budilding was demolised last year. Photo MVNews files


ROTARY PRESENTS 

ARCADIA AUTHOR 

VIMLA KAPOOR

On Tuesday, June 26th, the Sierra 
Madre Rotary club will welcome Author 
and Arcadia Resident Vimla Kapoor 
who will share her memoirs, “For 
She’s a Jolly Good Fellow”.

In her book Vimla recalls her memories 
of India and paints a vivid picture 
of a lifetime full of love, family and 
rich culture despite a childhood during 
turbulent, war torn times. This 
program will be one you will not want 
to miss and feel free to bring a friend 
or guest along that might appreciate 
our speaker. 

Kapoor will have some books with her 
which can be signed prior to or after 
the meeting.

For more information or to reserve 
your place, please contact Dan Alle 
at dalle@redstonecre.com.

Rotary meetings are held at The Hart 
Park House, 222 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd. at 7:00 am.


ASCENSION PARISHIONERS CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WHILE 
REMEMBERING THE PAST “MASS ON THE GRASS” SUNDAY, JULY 1ST 

 Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 25 East Laurel Avenue in Sierra Madre will be celebrating its annual 
start of summer with “Mass on the Grass” on July 1, 2012 at 10:15 a.m. 

For over 20 years the community and parishioners have gathered together to celebrate a community 
who pulled together and restored the Church which was significantly damaged in the Sierra Madre 
Earthquake with an outdoor celebration as they did in 1991. It was through faith, strength and fellowship 
with the community that Churchgoers were able to restore the Church’s nationally recognized historic 
structure (designed by English architect Ernest Coxhead in 1889.) The outdoor mass on the Church’s 
beautiful grounds recognizes this accomplishment and celebrates the blessings of nature with family 
and friends. 

“Mass on the Grass” is followed by a picnic on the Church grounds. Everyone is welcome to join us in this 
celebration. No reservations required. 

This event makes for a wonderful family outing to meet new neighbors and check out a wonderful 
community church. For more information, please call (626) 355-1133 or visit: www.ascension-
sierramadre.com.