Long Beach : Committee on School Space

The Long Beach school board has voted to establish a blue ribbon citizens committee to examine the need for additional classroom and school facilities through the year 2000 and report back by June 30. The purpose of the committee--to consist of 40 to 60 representatives of various school and community organizations--is to “provide some grass-roots input,” according to school Supt. E. Tom Giugni.

The Long Beach Unified School District, which has about 64,000 students, has projected an enrollment increase that would require new classrooms beginning next year. The committee, Giugni said, will review short- and long-term classroom needs, steps already taken by the district to secure additional classroom space and possible methods of funding such expansions, as well as making recommendations on these matters according to “the limits of available resources and state mandates.” Giugni said he hopes the committee will be operational within a month.