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Resident objects after sign restricts public access to LCHS stadium and track
Summary
A resident told the board the district posted a new sign closing La Canada High School stadium and track to public use, calling the change "a drastic departure" from 67 years of community access and asking whether staff would call law enforcement for informal users.
During the public-comment period of the Aug. 13 meeting, district resident David Haxton raised concerns about a newly posted sign at La Canada High School declaring the stadium and track "closed to public" and warning that unauthorized use "constitutes trespassing" and may prompt law enforcement involvement.
Haxton said the track had long been used by community members for evening walks, jogging and group exercise and noted that many community members — including families and a Korean-speaking exercise group — regularly used the facility when school activities were not occurring. He said the sign represents a "drastic and unnecessary step" and asked whether school staff would remove informal users or call the sheriff when band practice or school events were occurring.
Board members did not make an immediate action in response to the comment during the public-comment period; staff did not present a formal agenda item about stadium access during the meeting. The comment was received during the nonagendized public-comment portion of the meeting, when the Brown Act limits board discussion to brief clarifying questions or a request to agendize the matter for a future meeting.
Haxton asked the board to consider the community's historical use of the track and raised concern about messaging to residents ahead of a bond measure that will ask for community support.
