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come by to see the house ,” Clark said . “ They don ’ t see what is happening and they don ’ t particularly care about the community . So , the WNA was at least an attempt to overcome some of those problems .”
Clark , a past member of OSU ' s / A & M Board of Regents spoke on behalf of the WNA at the City Council , and the measures were approved in June 2011 .
The plan received endorsement from both OSU leadership — including former President Burns Hargis — and former Stillwater Schools Superintendent Ann Caine and the school board , who said the neighborhood was a public safety issue and a recruiting tool for future OSU faculty .
The City manager also had the authority to allow neighbors to park on one side of the street , freeing up access for neighbors and for emergency vehicles . At the time , the City planning commission said no , but the City Council said yes .
The WNA doesn ' t have the “ teeth ” to require the same rules from residents as a homeowners association would , Clark said , but the City does help with parking issues .
OSU students who live in the neighborhood are also a part of WNA – and often attend the parties that the WNA hosts , such as Easter egg hunts , movies in the park and more .
“ We made it clear in the beginning that this is not an anti-student or antirenter neighborhood ,” Clark said .
" When I was on the school board … there was some pressure to move Westwood further west , and some of the population considerations were in play ,” Graalman said .
Nelson has been the principal for 12 years , and said many willing residents would step up to help if needed .
“ To safely and efficiently get 600 students into the building in the mornings , then to dismiss them in the afternoons , it is no small task ,” Nelson said . “ I know the car traffic puts pressure on the streets . Sometimes problems arise with blocking of driveways . This can be a real concern for residents , and deservedly so . It is a matter of reminding parents to adhere
A magnet for families
After retiring , Bob Graalman served on the SPS school board for more than five years , and one of the major projects he was involved in was helping to keep the Westwood Elementary School in the neighborhood .
“ When I was on the school board … there was some pressure to move Westwood further west , and some of the population considerations were in play ,” Graalman said .
Some conditions seemed unsafe for walkers , and some wanted to move it back toward the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine , making it a “ truly tree-lined neighborhood school ,” Graalman said .
The SPS Long Range Facilities Committee eventually approved the $ 26 million renovation of the school , allowing it to remain where it was instead of purchasing new property and rebuilding .
Westwood Elementary is now a top-100 school in the country , Graalman said , who felt that leaving it in the same location will help maintain the neighborhood school aspect .
“ The fabric of Westwood is truly tied into that neighborhood ,” Graalman said , during the board meeting . At the time , Westwood Principal Darren Nelson and the neighborhood itself also felt the school should remain where it was .
Neighbors gather for food and fun at Ingham Park inthe Westwood neighborhood . to parking rules and remembering to be a good neighbor . Overwhelmingly , our parents do a wonderful job , and I am so grateful .”
The school hosts WNA meetings regularly , and Nelson said he sees the WNA as “ a partner .”
The school is a magnet for families in Stillwater .
“ People who come in from out of town say , ‘ When you see that school , you know Stillwater is an educational community ,’” Graalman said . “ Not just the university , but it ’ s a beautiful public school .”
Westwood is one of the few elementary schools in the country where kids can ride their bikes to school , said Nancy Beckstrom , who first moved to the neighborhood with
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