October 11, 2004

To the Caltrans Transportation Planning Grant Selection Committee:

We are pleased to endorse the application of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for an Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Transportation Planning Grant. The League of Women Voters has adopted positions that support all of the statewide planning goals to be addressed by allocating these funds. The MPUSD proposal is consistent with the League¹s mission to encourage the active and informed participation of citizens in government, increase understanding of public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy.

The League also supports measures which promote orderly development that is consistent with environmental protection, and coordination of land use and transportation planning. We have worked to ensure equal access to education, employment and housing.

We see a need for coherent planning among the five cities and scattered portions of Monterey County that are served by the MPUSD. There is considerable social, economic and ethnic diversity among the communities, and thus within the school population as a whole. The cities and local businesses all recognize the value of our schools to our local economy and quality of life. They contribute generous support in many ways, yet there isn¹t a consistent process, other than consultation, for including schools in land use and transportation planning.

MPUSD has a commendable history of celebrating its diversity, and recognizing the cultural differences of its students and families. We have an unusually high number of different languages other than English represented among them. The District has worked to improve communication and involvement of these families in its educational programs. New residents, especially those lacking educational or language skills, need help with other social services as well. They have not had experience with the political processes that govern land use and other public policy decisions which may directly affect them.

The demographics in individual cities on the Peninsula are changing, and concentrations of school-age children are shifting. Proposed housing and other development on the former Fort Ord will require new construction of schools, located with safe and convenient access in new planned communities. Choices must be made as to reuse or disposition of old school buildings in existing neighborhoods.

In addressing changes, MPUSD must see that all of its community members feel that their interests are fairly represented in the planning process. There must be a balance between protecting neighborhood interests and providing equal opportunities and services for all students. Because the district covers a wide geographic area, access to local community and school site meetings, with facilitators and interpreters, would be particularly helpful.

Because of the jobs/housing imbalance in most of the cities on the Peninsula, and extremely high cost of housing, many families and school employees bear the added cost of extended commuting from home to work, school, and childcare or after-school programs. The burden of commuting is heaviest for those with lower-income who have limited choices in housing.

We have a good public transportation system in the region, and MPUSD provides bus service for students who cannot safely walk to their assigned schools. Many want to enroll in special academic or vocational classes which are only offered at a particular campus, and they need transportation. Through this project, there may be ideas generated to coordinate planning and improve services so that all have equal access.

The League of Women Voters looks forward to participating in this important public education and planning process.

Sincerely,

Jean Esary, Social Policy Co-Chair
The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula