Belmont's school for dyslexia will expand

Recently, the school came back to the city requesting permission to increase enrollment from 260 to 290 students, citing increasing demand for dyslexic education and outdated facilities. The proposal also outlines two phases of expansion. The first would include a nearly 12,000-square-foot academic wing — comprising, in part, nine classrooms, a science lab and conference room — while the next phase would consist of an 11,000-square-foot gym and a kitchen.

Some San Carlos and Belmont residents have opposed the plan, citing worsening traffic, emergency access concerns, noise levels from students — and even unfavorable smells coming from the proposed kitchen.

City staff have maintained that the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department has reviewed the plans and have not flagged any concerns with emergency access. Vice Mayor Cathy Jordan also stated during the Feb. 11 council meeting that there are many sources of traffic, including from other nearby schools, with Charles Armstrong’s impact being relatively minimal.

“One school does not make traffic in Belmont bad. There are a lot of cars driving … but we can’t blame traffic on one school,” Jordan said.

Councilmember Robin Pang-Maganaris added that the school should be allowed to expand like many others in the area.

“In the same way that all other public schools in Belmont have been allowed to expand … I believe that Charles Armstrong should be given that same opportunity,” she said.

The Planning Commission recommended the plan in January despite resident opposition, however, many supporters of the plan were present at the Feb. 11 council meeting. Since the commission meeting, the school has made slight changes to the athletic building, reducing the height on the side of the building closest to neighboring properties and moving mechanical equipment away from the rear facade, which borders residences, according to a staff report.

Mayor Julia Mates said two of her children attended the school and was fully supportive of the project.

“This project is, at its core, about students,” Mates said. “The kitchen that they are hoping to build is to serve students, to feed children. The campus improvements are about giving students the same basic opportunity that every other school has, space for children to play and exercise and appropriate workspace for teacher and staff when they’re not in the classroom.”

The council unanimously approved the plan.