Controversy builds around permanent lighting at Leland High School

By Kymberli W. Brady

Staff Writer

Arguably the most sought after residential properties in Almaden lie within the Leland High School area. The ability to be able to attend this neighborhood school has played a major role in increased property values over the years and many buyers list that as a top priority when looking to purchase a new home in the 95120 zip code.

However, on Oct. 19, Leland High School's stadium lit up for the first time, thanks to almost a dozen portable lights, set aglow for a nighttime homecoming football game. Flyers were sent out in advance of the event, notifying residents about the one-time occurrence, yet neighbors have since grown increasingly concerned over the possibility of permanent lighting and the potential impacts that would stem from increased noise and traffic in the immediate area. “I know that many of the neighbors were not happy about the game,” claims 30-year resident Bob Boegman. “If an effort is made to install permanent light towers, or to schedule multiple evening activities in the stadium, there will be strong opposition from them to it.”

According to Boegman's letter to the Times, Leland's athletic director was overheard at the recent game to say that if it was a success, both financially and in attendance, more games might be scheduled in the future, prompting a letter to City Councilmember Pat Dando, where he stated, “Judging by the noise at the game and the traffic problems in the area afterwards, it must have been a success, and this concerns me.”

Unfortunately for Boegman, Leland High School lies within school district property and outside City Council jurisdiction. Proposals for school improvements, including those with regard to the fields and, in this case, stadium lighting are taken directly to the school district for review.

Cliff Mitchell, Leland's assistant principal of activities admits that the big Almaden Valley game was successful in many ways, with a strong sense of community and involvement from both Leland and Pioneer, but adds that there are no plans to put in permanent lighting. “We have talked about possibly hosting more night football games in the future,” he says. “But only once a year, with temporary lighting and with the support of the community.”

Boegman has seen four of his children graduate from Leland and appreciates the need for good facilities that would better youth sports programs. He does not object to one such event each year with temporary lighting. However, he doesn't want to see his home lit up every night either and fears that such plans may very well be underway. “When the permanent light towers were installed in the practice field area, the neighborhood was not consulted,” he says. “It was done and presented to us as an accomplished fact. During the winter months, we have those lights shinning into our back yards and homes many evenings, sometimes with only half a dozen kids on the field and occasionally none as they are left on after practice.”

“I know some members of the community are very nervous,” says San Jose Unified School District Board Member Gary Rummelhoff. “This goes back about 12 years. We're not sure who put them up and we have no responsibility for them. It was not the decision of the school district at the time. Things were being done out of the public view back then. Right now, based on our current practices and current emphasis on public engagement, it is not possible for a private organization to come in with money and put something up on school property without a proper process that would involve the community.”

Rummelhoff confirms that there are no plans underway for permanent lighting at Leland and no proposals have been presented to the school board. Additionally, no provisions exist with Measure F funding to do so. “However, there are some members of the community who, because of the positive impact of the event, would like to make such a proposal,” he says. “And maybe such a proposal should be considered. There's some healthy skepticism that the lights would be put to good use. It's not to say that plans won't come up, but we certainly won't do anything without proper review from the community.”