Update: See below for a summary of responses.

To whom it may concern,

You heard from me tonight during public comments at the board meeting. I am writing to better understand the process by which the list of improvements to West Point Elementary was assembled, and voice my concerns. For reference, I will repeat the list from the Draft Bond Res as it currently stands here:

• Renovate, construct and modernize classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, and other school facilities including flooring, windows, window coverings, doors, lighting, interior and exterior finishes, fixtures, furniture and paint
• Repair/replace heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Install door and window hardware, locks and/or safety treatments
• Repair, replace and or/upgrade paved surfaces and hardscape, including walkways, stairways and parking lots
• Renovate, repair and modernize restrooms
• Repair or replace leaky roofs
• Upgrade and expand campus-wide wireless systems and telecommunications, internet, and network connections.

Having attended PTG meetings and interacted with the school staff, it is clear to me that there is an over-reliance on over-worked (and at this point, disillusioned) maintenance staff to provide suggestions for renovations and improvements, staff who have no time to go out of their way to evaluate the severity of issues. I would like to provide some of my own observations, having volunteered my time and resources into making a number of repairs at the school with the support of the PTG:

1. The siding on the buildings is in severe disrepair. I know this falls under the first bullet point above, but I worry that there will not be a focus on this issue. In fact, the siding is so severely rotted in many places that the underlying framing is called into question. Previous attempts to "repair" the siding have simply slapped new siding on top of old, concealing the ever-growing problem. I hope this mistake will not be repeated.
2. A number of sheds and storage buildings have broken windows and leaking roofs. Please call this out specifically, since many parents know about these problems.
3. The bell tower that stands above the preschool room is severely damaged by rot and woodpeckers. It may not be at the point of structural compromise, but to a casual observer, it does not inspire confidence in the rest of the facilities. It is particularly visible and so I think it is best to address it, if for no reason other than the optics.
4. Regarding the HVAC, I would hope that repair and re-engineering is prioritized over replacement, since the system was replaced 4 years ago. It would be good to call out the fact that the recently installed system actually does not currently work as intended.
5. I have been told that there are idiosyncracies with the phone or internet system where all traffic is routed through the district office, so that when power is out at the district office, WP loses phone service even if we have power. I hope this is being addressed.
6. The irrigation system is broken or not adjusted right; there are puddles in the middle of the track and in front of the office for days or weeks at a time, even during the driest parts of the year. I keep hearing insistence that it is working fine.
7. I do not want to re-hash the issue of the library, but if you could find funds to place another modular on the campus for SHEC or the library, that would go a long way to restoring ties with the West Point community. I believe in books, and I believe in technology. I work in high tech myself. But there is a place for physical books, and it is at a school and its library. Maybe make this a stretch goal.

These are merely the things that I have noticed, as an observant parent that picks up my daughter from school. Undoubtedly, other parents have noticed other things.

I also hope that someone has actually talked to Mrs. Hood in person, not just asked for a list and play the game of telephone.

And here is my main point:

I cannot emphasize enough that the bullet points above need to be incredibly specific, so that an interested parent can read something that they themselves have noticed or recognize as a problem, and see that the district also understands it to be a problem. Or else, what you want is for someone to read the list, and be able to go to the school and verify for themselves that it is a problem. Right now, the vagueness of the bullet points just makes CUSD seem out of touch and blind to the problems on the ground.

Finally, why is Railroad Flat Elementary even on the list? I thought that campus was sold off. I think a lot of locals would question why funds are being spent on a campus that is no longer operating.

Signed,

Victor Liu

A concerned parent and ardent supporter of public education

Sent to:

• Ron Estes
• Kassie Meeks
• Scott Crisp
• Matt Brock
• Lorraine Angel
• Bryan Porath
• Monica Remus

Update 2026-05-29 I received a thoughtful and detailed response from Kassie Meeks, the incoming superintendent, and an acknowledgement from Noreen Puisis, maintenance and operations supervisor that the siding issues are included in the 5-year deferred maintenance plan.