San Carlos School District kicks of construction projects: Proposed tree removal at Arundel Elementary School raises neighbor concerns

The upgrades will establish new early learning facilities, which includes four new transitional-kindergarten classrooms at Arundel, in addition to new playground equipment, accessible paths and designated routes for emergency vehicles. 

Upgrades to Brittan Acres will include two new classrooms and, at Heather, there will be eight. 

The San Carlos School District is one of the only in the county that is seeing an increase in enrollment, as most others have documented declines. The need for classrooms and additional space is significant, board President Sarah Kinahan said. 

“We really need these classrooms,” she said. 

When the district gave a presentation regarding the improvements at Arundel during a community meeting Thursday, some nearby residents voiced concern that they were ill-informed of the project and were worried about the upgrades’ effect on traffic congestion and the loss of heritage oak trees. 

Bart Selby, a resident who lives closer to Heather Elementary School, said he felt there was insufficient outreach to the neighboring community of the school sites. 

“It’s a good project. The intent is noble. But the way it’s been done isn’t ideal,” Selby said. “They didn’t reach out to anybody in the community other than the parents. Not those that live around the schools.”

Selby and other residents who spoke at the community meeting claimed they never received information regarding the construction from the school district. 

The project at Arundel Elementary includes two buildings with four new early learning classrooms with restrooms and support spaces. The design was created to emphasize a “nature-forward” play area with outdoor learning opportunities, according to a district presentation. 

“The Measure H improvements at Arundel will directly benefit approximately 430 current students and support the district’s commitment to providing modern, safe and climate ready learning environments,” Amber Farinha, executive director of Student Services and Special Projects, said.

To get the classrooms, the project would require removal of large oak trees in the lower yard of the site; trees within the upper play area intend to be protected. Currently, the district’s construction plans propose the removal of eight protected oak trees. 

Some residents voiced concerns over the loss of trees that are difficult to replace. 

“They’re cutting down trees, and you can’t replace trees, not oaks, not in our lifetime, it takes hundreds of years to grow those trees,” Selby said. 

One resident, Gary Barth, said some of the proposed tree removals were on, or right near, his property. 

There are trees lining his driveway that are proposed to be removed, and Barth said he would go the length and pursue legal action if it comes down to it.

While he would prefer to avoid removing any of the old oak trees altogether, the real issue he said he has is the district’s lack of communication regarding the work being done. 

“When you don’t tell anyone about it, you immediately think the worse,” Barth said. “You could have done a lot to sort of alleviate any of this by just talking to people.”

In response, the district is working with its project team, arborist, contractors and the city of San Carlos to “review the project plans and evaluate all available options,” Farinha said.

This review will also include confirming property boundaries and tree locations and reviewing the permitting requirements, Farinha said. 

Kinahan said she sympathizes greatly with the concerns related to the trees.

“I share their concerns about making sure we’re preserving those resources,” Kinahan said. “We’re doing what we can, but it’s difficult when you’re adding classrooms to a campus to not have any impact on the tree canopy.” 

For now, the groundbreaking ceremony at Arundel, and the two other campuses, are still scheduled as planned for this week.