Preschool aim: Lease space at Ormondale Preschool aim: Lease space at Ormondale (February 16, 2005)

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

Windmill School, a nonprofit preschool founded by parents in Portola Valley in the 1950s, is eyeing the possibility of leasing space on the Ormondale School site for its future home.

The preschool faces two dilemmas, said parent Tracy Wang, who represented Windmill School and introduced the preschool proposal as a discussion item at the Portola Valley School District board meeting February 9.

She told the board that Windmill's current space in the old stone building owned by the Alpine Hills Swim and Tennis Club does not provide adequate space to serve its 60 families.

Also, the school's five-year lease with Alpine ends in August 2007, she said, and there's a potential that it may not be renewed or may be too costly.

Last year, Windmill parents campaigned for including its preschool facilities at the proposed Portola Valley Town Center, but that is not an option at this point. Now, they are setting their sights on leasing two portables on the Ormondale site. These buildings are temporary ones, and are not being used as classrooms.

Ms. Wang said that a large percentage of Windmill families now have children who go to Ormondale, the district's K-3 school, or will attend Ormondale in the future. Additional space, she said, will enable Windmill to serve more of the Portola Valley community, including children of school district teachers and staff.

"Windmill will continue to remain an autonomous preschool while integrating some tasks with Ormondale for business efficiencies and common interests," she said.

While Windmill's proposal to use the two portables didn't contain cost estimates, the plan calls for some remodeling and additions. Adding a galley kitchen, children's bathrooms and an entrance to the classroom from the playground are proposed.

Plans also call for building out the director's office and teacher workroom, enclosing the playground and using the school's back parking lot (near the grassy field) for drop-off and pick-up.

Conscious of traffic concerns at Ormondale, Ms. Wang said Windmill would develop its schedule to minimize additional traffic and conflicts at arrival and departure times with Ormondale students. The preschool board is interviewing firms to conduct a traffic analysis to assess the impact on the Ormondale neighborhood, she said.

Windmill's proposal also included sharing the Ormondale teachers' lounge/workroom, and having opportunities for the preschoolers to use the library, multi-use room and fields.

President Donna Carano of the Portola Valley school board suggested that preschool parents continue to meet with district's representatives Tim Hanretty, assistant superintendent, Ormondale Principal Eva Gal and school board member Teresa Godfrey.
E-mail Marjorie Mader at mmader@AlmanacNews.com

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