Lucerne Valley USD Superintendent Peter Livingston shared school district updates and other community-related information at Monday’s monthly meeting of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association.
After several years of continued growth, the school district’s enrollment now stands at 1,110, Mr. Livingston said. He also discussed the school board’s recent unanimous decision to clarify its “Display of Flag” policy to state that “The flag of the United States and the flag of California shall be the only flags displayed during business hours at the entrance or on the grounds of every district school and on or near the district office. At all times, the national flag shall be placed in the position of first honor.”
Mr. Livingston also commented on California Assembly Bill 579, which if passed by the Legislature would mandate that 100% of newly purchased school buses be zero-emission by 2035. One of his concerns with the mandate is that electric school buses currently do not have an adequate range to pick up and drop off students in a spread out community such as Lucerne Valley. Also the district — and others in the state — would need to construct large EV charging stations for not only its school bus fleet but also for visiting sports teams, some traveling as far as 100 miles one way.
The school district currently has two electric school buses, which were purchased with a grant, and has plans to get a few more. Livingston plans to go to Sacramento with several other Northern California Superintendents to talk to legislators about the impact of the electric bus issues.
Mr. Livingston also touched on the status of a pending BNSF freight yard, which could bring thousands of new jobs (and therefore school children) if it comes to fruition. He also addressed several new state legislative actions and how they could impact Lucerne Valley and other communities.
Also attending the meeting were LVUSD Board of Trustees vice-president Chelsea LaGrange and board member Jason Hansen. Ms. LaGrange, the president of the Lucerne Valley Museum, said the museum has an upcoming event before it temporarily closes to revamp its yard. The museum is planning “Story Under The Stars” on September 23rd. Mr. Hansen, the executive director of Humanitarian Emergency Lifeline Project, invited LVEDA members to participate in a beta version of a new app his organization is testing.
Other representatives joined the school district contingent in providing community updates. Sgt. Dana Weinberg gave an update on the Lucerne Valley Sheriff’s Substation. He talked about the addition of seven new deputies added to the High Desert area and other issues regarding local law enforcement. He also invited residents to contact law enforcement in the event there appears to be a large number of OHV.
LVEDA President Chuck Bell read the update from the California Highway Patrol, which was unable to attend the meeting. There was an increase in the number of traffic citations issues by the CHP, and the number of traffic collisions has decreased, he said.
Mitsubishi Cement Environmental Manager David Rib, a longtime participant in LVEDA, read a note from County Senior Code Enforcement Agent Curtis Stone, who was unable to attend the meeting. The agency issued a misdemeanor citation for a large non-permitted OHV event at Cougar Buttes. Other code enforcement violations were dealt with, according to the report.
Steve Reyes, field representative for Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, gave an update on the county. The Morongo Basin Resource Fair and Hiring Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20th.
Hayden Bartz, field representative for Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia), said the Congressman has authored a bill to launch a national cyber security literacy campaign. The American Cybersecurity Literacy Act, which recently was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, sets the bill up for a potential vote on the House floor later this year.
Mr. Bell shared a note from Assemblyman Tom Lackey, and Mr. Rib shared an update from Pamela Balch, district director for Assemblyman Tom Lackey, who was unable to attend the meeting. The update included information on several pending state assembly bills.
Angie Miller, president of the Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, announced the Lucerne Valley Community Resource & Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th at the First Assembly of God, 10216 Crystal Creek Road. The Chamber is also partnering with the Lions Club to host a Haunted Ghost Town on October 28th.
LVEDA (a 501C3 non-profit group) provides residents with pertinent information on Lucerne Valley and surrounding communities. Longtime resident Chuck Bell heads the organization with several board members. The self-sustaining organization is not directly connected to any governmental agency; however, LVEDA maintains partnerships with several local, county and state agencies and organizations.
LVEDA meets at 5 p.m. on the last Monday of every month at the Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge, 31878 Laramie Rd. For more information, visit http://lveda.org/