Craig Foster’s letter to the editor seemed to indicate that the controversy over the lights is a done deal. [Response to letter “Independence needed,” Sept. 26]
In fact, the stadium lights at Malibu High School can be removed—the 70 foot poles are fit into caissons and are not permanently part of the MHS’ infrastructure.
Moreover, the amount of time that the lights are used can be altered by agreement. Seth Jacobsen, one of the founders of AMPS, continues to be involved in the Shark Fund, which influences the district’s decision-making vis-a-vis these lights, through financial contributions and political influence.
Laura Rosenthal, a council liaison with AMPS and director of the Shark Fund, was at the forefront of the Bring on the Lights Campaign. Should AMPS succeed in its control of Malibu schools, would AMPS advocate for dark skies and preservation of the ESHA surrounding the school?
I joined AMPS because, in concept, separation from SMMUSD seemed right in view of the district’s apparent lack of understanding of Malibu’s students and community. This lack of understanding manifested in part in its proposal to install stadium lights and redesign the school in total ignorance of the dark sky community in which the school is located. For the same reasons that the City of Malibu was created to control its environment and preserve its rural nature for future generations, if AMPS merits support in Malibu as a whole, it should clarify its position on the development of MHS and its environs now rather than later.
For the time being, while Mr. Foster has admirably sought to improve our schools, for which he should receive the utmost commendation, the fact is that many of the other central figures in the Bring on the Lights Campaign seemed to be holding sway in AMPS. There is so much creativity and opportunity to establish a truly unique learning experience at MHS, it would be a pity to hand it over to those who have encouraged the district to violate its promises to the community and by all objective criteria seem to have the wrong priority set.
Cynthia Kesselman