A Bushel of Problems
The gentleman, who insisted on not being identified, works on the fringes of business on Jefferson Boulevard, not far from the Star Prep Academy and its commercial cousin, the Star Eco Station, which are housed in the same building, 10101 Jefferson. In addition to regulatory violations by the academy, the City Council declared last spring that the neighborhood, zoned industrial, prohibited the placement of a school even if it had been in compliance with other rules. Further, the city has maintained it was unaware of the 6-year-old schools existence until a year and a half ago when it accidentally made the discovery. Last August, after City Hall had been chasing the leaders of the school for more than a year, ordering them to comply with certain business regulations, the City Council called for the academy to vacate the premises. Since a new school term was only 2 weeks off, the Council gave the Star Prep Academy 90 days to find a new location. But there has been no movement.
The Deadline Went That Way
The Nov. 5 deadline came and went, with scarcely a public murmur. When Katya Bozzi, the founder, told the Council on Nov. 6 that she found it foreboding to navigate the citys perceived regulatory jungle, a 3 to 2 majority on the City Council stroked its chins, smiled and shrugged. With three class days left before the Thanksgiving break, the Star Prep Academy remains in business without a prospective alternate location. City Hall has not been inclined to enforce the City Councils order.
Postscript
It is important for the community to understand that for some people, such as Mrs. Bozzi, this whole process is daunting, said the neighbor in defense of the academy. She is not a foolish woman. She is college educated. She spends a tremendous amount of time with educators. Her background, however, is not the kind that is necessary for working with the city. Most often, you know, things go on in this city without coming before the City Council. Can you imagine how boring it would be if every business, every homeowner came before the City Council or the Redevelopment Agency to discuss their problems? I am happy the academy still is in place, and I hope they get to stay there. They are good people.
