Alhambra : 3 School Site Choices Left

The Alhambra Board of Education has narrowed its choices for a new high school in south Rosemead to three sites: a 42.6-acre parcel across from Maryvale Orphanage, the Los Angeles Auto Auction at Garvey and Del Mar avenues and an adjacent property on Whitmore Street between Del Mar and San Gabriel Boulevard.

The board made the decision this week at a meeting attended by about 125 disenchanted residents from south Rosemead who are served by the Alhambra district and want officials to consider sites elsewhere.

The Alhambra School District serves high school students from the Alhambra, San Gabriel and Garvey elementary districts. Garvey serves elementary students in south Rosemead and parts of San Gabriel and Monterey Park. The Alhambra district wants to build a high school to relieve overcrowding at its four campuses.

The Alhambra board authorized district staff members to seek bids for an environmental impact report on the three sites, which is expected to take about two months. Assistant Supt. John Perko said it will take another six months to complete the reports. The board apparently has dropped two other sites it had considered: the Fern Elementary and Intermediate School complex, which was vehemently opposed by the Garvey school board, and a 40-acre site near Whittier Narrows.