January 4, 2008

Mr. Larry Metz, Chairman
Lake County School Board
201 W. Burleigh Boulevard
Tavares, FL 32778

Dear Mr. Metz, School Board Members and Ms. Cowin:

The Mount Plymouth-Sorrento area is a special place; we consider it home. As a hub community for a larger area, smart planning is very important if we are to become a sustainable community. As School Board members, you will play an important role in what happens to our home as you consider the location for Elementary School “J.”

We hope that you will listen to the broadest possible array of citizen input before making a final decision on where to locate this school. We understand the importance of building the school quickly to meet the needs of our children, but we ask that you proceed with care to make sure that the health of a community is not sacrificed in the name of education.

There is at least one property available on the south side of State Road 46 for a school site. A 19 acre site within the planned Sorrento Village development was negotiated by Concerned Citizens of East Lake County, and the developer has provided documentation to the East Lake Citizens Council that he can transfer the property at any time. We are not aware of any issues that would prevent using this site as a school site.

The Mount Plymouth Sorrento Planning Advisory Committee and the East Lake County Chamber of Commerce have both conducted polls that demonstrate huge support for an elementary school in our area. However, the Advisory Committee poll did not ask about specific sites. The Chamber poll asked residents whether they preferred a site on the north or south side of State Road 46. This poll indicated huge support for a site south of 46 (by a margin of 5:1). Neither poll is scientific, but they indicate a citizenry that is interested in the issue.

We ask you, therefore, to ensure that all options for the location of Elementary School “J” are thoroughly investigated. We ask you also to provide opportunities to educate the citizens of Mount Plymouth and Sorrento about these options and to seek their input before any final decision is made.

Very truly yours,

/s/

Timothy J. Bailey
Betty Ann Christian
Clark Morris