SCHOOLS AND SERVICES ISSUES
At its current state, Foster City is already coping to serve a burgeoning population, let along the impending increase in population as a result of the proposed development projects. The need for more schools, library facilities, and service staff have not been in the radar of concerns for the City officials. The modus operandi seems to be to deal with them when the problem arises, Instead of adequately planning for their eventualities. The current city officials who are making the decisions will simply pass on the problems to be solved to the future officials.
Here are synopsis of facilities and services in its current state and anticipated problems.
(1) School
Foster City public schools are full. To increase capacity and accommodate the growing number of students in the
community, the schools have resorted to utilizing temporary buildings or portables.
The City Officials through their aggressive redevelopment plan are planning to add over 1,200 new residential units.
But they have not planned accordingly the schools to accommodate the new children residents. Where do they
expect them to go to school given that the city's elementary schools are already overcrowded?
With the City Council's unanimous vote last July 22, 2008 to rescind its reservation of the 4 acres (out of 15 acres
open space public land) for educational purposes, the residents have literally lost their public land where they can
build another elementary school or a junior high school.
(2) Library
The Library has become overcrowded. The noise level is quite high,particularly during peak hours.This problems will be exacerbated with further increase in population.
(3) Required Additional Service Staff
City officials have no concrete plans as to their strategy to expand services to meet increased needs.
(4) Disaster Preparedness
In the event of a disaster, how will the city evacuate Seniors in high-rise towers.at Mirabella? It can be a horrific situation.
With no planning, the City may be ill-equipped to handle a huge resident and working population, particularly in cases of
emergencies.