Duarte : Schools Slate Assessments

The Duarte Unified School District has voted to take advantage of a new state law allowing school districts to assess a fee of $1.50 per square foot from residential builders and 25 cents per square foot from commercial and industrial developers for capital improvements for schools.

Assistant Supt. David Kanthak said the funds will be used to lease or purchase portable classrooms.

He said the district is approaching the point of overcrowding, especially at the elementary school level, and that new development will bring with it too many school-age children for the district to accommodate.