Oceanside Unified School District is asking for suggestions of a name for the newly consolidated school at the former San Luis Rey Elementary facility on Hacienda Drive. I hope it will consider – and that you will support – the naming of the school the Clair W. Burgener Elementary School.
Oceanside recognized the strong commitment of the late Clair Burgener to the education of children when it named the Clair W. Burgener Academy in his honor. That academy closed over a decade ago, but the District should again use his name for a school.
Burgener first entered pubic service in volunteer activities for intellectually challenged youth as his son was born with challenges. That led to full time activism for such children as a California Assemblyman and Senator and then United States Congressman over the two decades from 1963 to 1983. Oceanside was always within his district and he worked tirelessly for his constituents – I know, for I was privileged to be a member of his staff in Sacramento, Washington and the district.
Brad Hathaway
now a resident of Sausalito, CA