Rosemead : High School Vote Unclear

Garvey school board officials have asked the County Counsel’s office to determine whether a vote last week on a resolution opposing construction of a high school in Rosemead passed or failed.

When the vote was tallied, two members had voted “yes” on the resolution, which stated, “It is resolved that the district opposes construction of a high school within its boundaries.” One had voted “no,” one member abstained and one disqualified himself.

Garvey officials want to know whether three “yes” votes are required to approve any measure, and if not, whether the 2-1 vote on the resolution constitutes passage.

Board members Jim Smith and Judy Chu supported the resolution and Gilbert Barron opposed it. Bob Miranda disqualified himself because he lives on one of the three sites in Rosemead under consideration and Virginia Gutierrez abstained without stating a reason. Miranda has said that he will not vote on the issue as long as the area in which he lives is being considered as a school site.

The County Counsel’s office has agreed to study the question and is expected to issue a written opinion within the next few weeks.

The Garvey board oversees elementary and intermediate schools in parts of Rosemead, Monterey Park and San Gabriel. The Alhambra High School District, which serves students from the Garvey district, has announced plans to build a new high school on one of three sites in southern Rosemead. Rosemead residents oppose construction of a school in their city and have asked that the school be built in Monterey Park since most of the district’s population growth in the high school district is occurring there.