Board's Corner

Dear Saklan Parents and Community Members,

One of the roles of the Board of Trustees is to keep an eye on the future and to develop plans for the health and well being of the school.

In May of 2003 one such goal was realized in the purchase of our current site. With that purchase came the need and desire to develop a plan with the school grounds. Many additions and improvements have taken place. A new portable for middle school, improvements to the ECE yard, and a pavilion next to the fourth grade classroom to name a few.

About a year ago, the board established a Master Plan committee, headed by Marcela Salem, and approved the process of selecting an architectural company specializing in school design. The Master Plan committee was formed and the proposal and interview process began. The firm of Ratcliff was hired. Ratcliff is a very experienced company founded a century ago with strong ties to the Bay Area.

Two different workshops were held, on Saturdays, which included teachers, parents and students. Through the Master Plan process we analyzed important data to determine the physical requirements of our site such as strategic plan, school mission, goals, academic plan, existing campus buildings, landscape and infrastructure, facilities standards and space needs, zoning and planning restrictions. Ratcliff also participated in several faculty meetings to provide the faulty the opportunity to express their opinions and review the progress of the Master Plan.

At our April board meeting, the Ratcliff architects made a presentation of the potential improvements to our school— these plans are framed as very big picture, long term options for our school to consider. The board is now taking the time to give due reflective consideration to these options and their implications.

Your Board of Trustees would also like to welcome our newest board member, parent Chris Crespi. Chris and his wife, Cynthia, have a son Wyatt who is a Kindergartener. Chris brings a variety of skills and board experience to our board and we look forward to working with him.


Annie Barendregt
Board Vice-Chair, for the Board of Trustees