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ENCINAL ALUMNI CHALLENGE UPDATE
This update comes because I have been asked by many the status of our
endeavors. Well, it is out of frustration and sadness that I say it is
on hold, at least for the moment.
The whole challenge concept was formed at the end of last year. It was created with the best of intentions to help our school see some of the much needed work it lacked over the years since it's construction. Within two months of starting this project, California's first proposed budget cuts were announced. These cuts have since meant the removal of all school sports for both Alameda and Encinal High School. There is a parcel tax that will be voted on the beginning of June which will let us know if those cuts will be offset for the next few years.
There are many rumors that should they not be able to devise a plan for our district with the depleted budget, we will potentially see some school closures. There are many thoughts and opinions on this subject including the combining of the two high schools, the re-drawing of the line that determines attendance, the closure and sale of the prime land Encinal is situated upon, the closure of Alameda and Encinal becoming the new Alameda High, etc... No matter what is said, the simple fact of the matter is we don't know what is going to happen.
This being said, we have revised our plan to accommodate immediate needs and long term plans. There is one thing that the school is in dire need of and has wanted for quite some time. That would be the one thing acting Principal Cooper mentioned from the start and that is chairs for the auditorium. This is a $7,000 - $10,000 fund-raiser. The Encinal High School Alumni Association has this as one of their main goals to purchase for the school. We suggest donating to this via the EHSAA with the intent of fulfilling, at the very least, this request. Checks should be made out to Encinal High School Alumni Association with a notation for the chairs and sent to EHSAA, 210 Central Avenue, Alameda, Ca. 94501.
As for longer term needs, the Alameda Education Foundation has taken a front seat role in implementing policies and procedures that hope to enrich the school district and community. We want to support them in any way we can as well. Go to http://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/ to donate to a group that has become a very involved and dedicated force for the future of Alameda and its schools.
We will still keep the intention of doing all that we can for Encinal but will be able to do so once we have a better idea of what is in store for our district. Thank you to all who have participated so far and we will keep you updated as things go forward!
To view a few videos that have been created, go to http://www.youtube.com/encinalchallenge.
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Alumni Challenge 
