University City High School - Excelsus Yearbook (San Diego, CA)

Page 19 text:

.j ' w.- -■■, .w- ' , ; . ' . tttX-iTl (. UD. - i X) nii 1.1 CLi xJ bod lA dLcUiJ- ■ t uya - LlAdi J And the sails are up. , Ron Vance gives the exotic pose. Students wait patiently in line for their schedules. 15

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The opportunities provided by the school brought with them certain responsibilities. We learned to work together in the spirit of unity. to set aside old allegiances, and to strive to- gether toward common goals. These goals just started to become reality, and were an on- going quest. We started well, we made gains, however, no matter what results we achieved, each of us knew that we had truly only just begun. Ron Tyson takes pride in his work. Maurice JoIuijuh lun it up the center. 14

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Dedication Controversy . UCHS was conceived in con- troversy, became a focal point in the communi- ty and became a reality, with an obvious com- munity committment to quality education for all young people. Fifteen years ago the conceptual groundwork for a new community high school in University City was begun. During the insuing years the issue of construction on the present site be- came a polarizing influence within the commu- nity. Issues were brought forth in favor of con- struction and opposing viewpoints were also forcefully presented, and community members in both camps became dedicated to their causes. The integration issue introduced by the Carlin Case proposed that the new school was not required and, in fact, would serve an ethnic majority while precluding racial balance within the San Diego Unified School District. A group of citizens, who became known as the Edmonton Group, voiced the belief that the current site plans were strategically dangerous because of the proximity to the Miramar Naval Air Station jet flight path, thereby creating a dangerous safety factor for students in atten- dance. As always, the financial considerations also be- came a burning issue. The original plans called for a two-story building with an original esti- mated cost of twelve million dollars. Bonds were approved in that amount; however, as time passed, construction cost estimates soared concurrently with the rising inflationary spiral until an estimated cost of twenty-one million dollars was projected. The cost in- crease became another point of controversy and ultimately created negative attitudes rela- tive to plan and construction approval. Many citizens within the community, sensing a need for a school, bonded together to form Citizen Friends of University City High School. The members of the community, dedicated to the concept of the high school, worked dili- gently to bring to the public a clear under- standing of the need for the school construc- tion. Thousands of hours of meetings and dis- cussions took place, site development plans were examined for ways to reduce the total costs, safety evaluations were made, and ulti- mately the school construction was approved. UCHS was to be built and modifications of the original plans were completed, thereby reduc- ing the final cost to 17.3 million dollars. Upon opening the doors of the school, the students and the community were pleased to note that all of the work which had proceeded had not been in vain. The planning, co nstruction and ultimate staff- ing were so carefully orchestrated that UNI- VERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL began classes in an atmosphere of confidence, purpose and dedication. We, the yearbook staff of 1981-82, dedicate this first edition to the University City commu- nity and all those citizens who have expressed their feelings and concerns. University City High School IS a symbol of democracy in pro- gress and has only just begun.