Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and a nonprofit ask Adelanto council to back Glassper lease-to-buy and fund fifth-grade science camp
Summary
A local nonprofit proposed a two-year lease with an option to buy the Glassper Building for a preschool and community hub; multiple parents and students asked the council to help fund fifth-grade science camp fees, citing district budget cuts and per-student costs of $400–$425.
At the Sept. 24 meeting, a local nonprofit leader asked the Adelanto City Council for a two-year lease with an option to buy the Glassper Building to create a preschool and community empowerment campus, and several parents and students from Gus Franklin Junior STEM Academy urged the council to help fund a four-day, three-night science camp.
Rhonda Dennis, who said she has devoted her life to working with children in Adelanto, proposed a two-year lease during which her organization would renovate the Glassper Building and then exercise an option to buy. She described a phased development plan with the first year dedicated to renovation and part of the second year to operations and fundraising; her group would pay renovation costs and seek lenders to finalize a purchase during the lease period.
"I am respectfully requesting a 2 year lease with option to buy to purchase the Glassper Building and its surrounding acres," Dennis told the council, saying the plan would transform the property into a state-of-the-art preschool and community hub.
Multiple parents and fifth-grade students from Gus Franklin urged assistance to send students to 3 Oaks Outdoor Science School (four days, three nights). Students and parents said the district can no longer cover previous costs and that the per-student fee is around $400–$425. Student Aubrey Penafil told the council, "Each student has to pay $425 before we go to science camp," and parent Daniel Penafiel asked the council to consider donations and coordinate with neighboring cities and nonprofits.
Councilmembers thanked the students for attending and asked staff to gather details — including how many students are Adelanto residents — before returning the request for consideration. Councilman Mesa suggested sending the school a list of the specific information needed and brought the item back for future agenda consideration; the council also offered outreach options such as event booths for fundraising.
The council did not commit funds at the meeting but asked staff to collect numbers and costs and noted they would consider donations that benefit Adelanto-resident children first.
