Thanks to Frank for attending!

Matt Watson spoke eloquently in front of a large audience of parents and administrators requesting that a bicycle rack (Positive Spins) be allowed on school campus, and asked for  $300 from the PTO.

Principal Napolillo took the floor and immediately said things similar to what Frank reported to us when he previously visited the school.  Then he said, "and besides, you should have brought this to the LSIC, because they are the one who have the decision making power in this matter, not the PTO."  His greatest concern was that the road in front of the school lacks good sidewalks and signage, and that the City needs to fix this first, and made it clear that Suncrest Middle wants to be on the City Council agenda.  He felt there needed to be bicycle routes, too.

The parents spoke up, one questioned why students are allowed to walk to school if they can't bring their bicycles, too.  Another parent pointed out that Suncrest Middle School is one of the few remaining schools accessible from its own neighborhood.

The PTO voted on the $300 motion.  It passed!  Although it is still contingent on the LSIC.  Frank asked if he could speak, and did an excellent job contrasting bicycle routes, trails, and lanes.

I had to wait until the end of the meeting to find out what LSIC stands for.  It's the Local School Improvement Committee.  I think it has this format, 3 parents, 3 teachers, 2 service personnel, and 2 people hand picked by Napolillo.  Napolillo made it clear that he is an administrator-type (and he certainly is) with 35 years of administrative experience, and to avoid conflict this committee was designed as a way to facilitate communication between the school board, administration, community, school and parents.  The LSIC was on the agenda because they needed two new parents to become members.

Jack Watson was nominated and another parent.  They both won unanimously, the other winner told the Watson family they he would support Matt's initiative!

Afterwards, the principal came over to talk to us, Matt, Jack and (but not really) me.  I think he was impressed with Matt, and that Jack was going to be on the LSIC.  His tone had changed significantly, and he was already discussing possible locations for bicycle parking.

Jack confided with me that he feels confident that  bicycle parking is going to materialize at Suncrest Middle School.

-Jonathan

On 9/4/2012 12:37 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote:
> Thank you, Jonathan!
>
> Recall that Nick offered to donate a rack.  I don't know if Watson got it.  If he did, the conversation should shift from "where will you get the money for a rack" to "where will we put the rack".
>
> Frank
>
> On Sep 4, 2012, at 12:28 PM, Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote:
>
>> I am definitely there!
>>
>> -Jonathan
>>
>> On 9/4/2012 12:13 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote:
>>> Bicycle Board Members,
>>>
>>> This is a reminder that Matthew Watson will be presenting tonight at 6:30 pm to the Suncrest Middle School Parent Teacher Group his petition to have a bicycle rack installed at the school.  It would be good if some BB members were there... and very cool if they showed up on bikes and locked them to appropriate facilities:)
>>>
>>> Frank
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Bikeboard mailing list
>>> Bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com
>>> http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard


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