Student Writes: LGHS needs to listen to its constituents' opinions and concerns

It saddens me to know what little influence students have on the decisions made regarding our school. As a student-athlete at LGHS I am greatly affected by every change at the high school whether it is an academic change, athletic change, or even just a change in school atmosphere.

After the recent approval of Measure E granting $99 million to the LGSUHSD, I was disappointed to hear that all athletic fields at LGHS would be replaced by artificial turf with these funds. I thought to myself, why would the District chose to do this? Helm Field is iconic. Sure some sports prefer to practice on turf than uneven grass, but they all would much rather play on a nicely maintained grass field. I cannot remember a day when I did not enjoy myself on that field. Cross-Country season and Track season were made bearable when my teammates and I could lounge and cool down on the grass after running in circles for what seemed like ages. Even at track meets, athletes can be seen warming up, stretching, and spending time on Helm Field. Los Gatos is the only school with a field that is still natural grass, and I can tell you that at track meets at any other school, the fields are empty . Nobody wants to spend time on a surface that is tens of degrees hotter than the already hot California air. When I walk onto a turf field, I can feel myself slowly being cooked like a rotisserie chicken. Heat waves rising from the turf look uninviting, as well as the thought of all the blood, sweat, and spit left on the field to accumulate.

When I reached out to the Principal and Assistant Principal about my concerns, I was told that student health and safety was a priority and the amount of time students would be spending on turf would not be sufficient enough to raise health concerns. If you ask me, two to three plus hours, five to six times a week, amounting to between 10 and 18+ hours a week for 10 months of the year is a significant amount of time. The surface is made of shredded tires, containing carcinogenic materials. The crumb rubber emits fumes and the accumulated dust triggers asthma attacks. There is skepticism, but enough concern that Senate Bill B47 [1] asks for a two year moratorium on turf in California, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stepped back from prior safety assurances about artificial turf.[2] I understand that CA is in a drought and water must be conserved, but there are other ways to address this issue such as water efficient plumbing fixtures and grey water systems. Neither of these options has been considered in LGHS renovation plans. Interestingly enough, even the Santa Clara Valley Water District advises against artificial turf.[3]

My hope is that the school follows the three requirements stated in Bill B47.[1]

1. To specify at least one option that does not use crumb rubber from waste tires for turf fields
2. To obtain at least one price estimate from a company that does not use crumb rubber from waste tires in its turf field
3. That the school has held a public meeting regarding the installation of synthetic turf with an opportunity for public comment

None of these have been met by LGHS; it is not too late to do the right thing.

As a student I would like my voice to be heard. I am asking for a compromise; only install enough turf to accommodate team practices. I started this petition as a way to speak out about what a number of my peers and I believe in. Take the time to read comments from LGHS coaches, alumni, students and worried parents, and sign the petition if you agree.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/keep-natural-grass-on?source=c.em&r_by=12949976

[1]http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB47

[2]http://www.peer.org/news/news-releases/2013/12/23/epa-retracts-synthetic-turf-safety-assurances

[3]http://www.valleywater.org/uploadedFiles/Programs/WaterConservation/Landscaping/01_Artificial%20Turf%20Fact%20Sheet_030614%20BA.pdf?n=1336