This is an issue that needs input from both Atherton and Menlo Park Councils and citizens:

M-A hoping to make football lights a permanent fixture

Success of first night game provides a push to brighten the Bears' football future

==B By Tim Goode==

Palo Alto Online Sports

The temporary lights brought in by Menlo-Atherton High for last week's M-A vs. Sacred Heart Prep football game proved so popular that there is an aggressive push taking place to make the lights a permanent fixture.

The issue of permanent lights will be on the agenda at the Nov. 18 meeting of the board of the Sequoia Union High School District. Permission to put up the lights could come as early as January.

An estimated 1,500 people attended the Oct. 30 game between M-A and Sacred Heart Prep.

"We drew three times what we did for Homecoming the week before," said M-A co-Athletic Director Mary Podesta. "(the game) was very successful. The students were in a good mood. It was a beautiful night. It was a good community event. Many of the Sacred Heart parents came up to comment how nice it was."

M-A boosters now are busy trying to gain community support for the lights. Emails have been sent to the community asking for letters to Sequoia Union High District board members and volunteers will be circulating petitions in Menlo Park in anticipation of the meeting.

"There's a lot of interest and we want to keep the momentum going," said Susan Mohr, a member of the M-A Football Association and head of the committee in charge of lights.

M-A is on state property so school officials are not bound to earn neighbor or city approval for the lights.

"We would like to be good neighbors so there will be meetings to get input from the neighbors and come up with a plan that would self-regulate use," Mohr said.

The source of funding for the lights may come from the Measure J Bond passed last year. The Nov. 18 meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at the Sequoia District office at 480 James Ave., Redwood City.

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