Alhambra to Expand High Schools, Not Add Another

After two years of controversy over proposed sites for a new high school, the Alhambra school board abruptly decided this week to try to expand its three high school campuses to accommodate more students rather than build a new school.

Supt. Bruce Peppin said the expansion plan would require state legislation to compensate the district for the added cost of constructing multistory buildings. In addition, he said, the district cannot use money it has been promised for a new school but must obtain separate state funding for expanded facilities.

Peppin said he has met with state agencies and legislators and believes that the new plan is feasible. But he recommended that the district keep alive the possibility of building a new high school in case the expansion plan fails.

The superintendent’s recommendation at Tuesday night’s school board meeting was loudly applauded by Rosemead residents who have waged a long, bitter fight to save their homes from demolition for a new school. The board quickly endorsed Peppin’s proposal.

Would Save Millions

Board member Ron Apperson said state officials should approve the plan because it would save taxpayers $10 million to $15 million, but if they do not, “we may have to return and look at sites and condemn homes.”

Another board member, Phyllis J. Rutherford, said expansion of Mark Keppel, San Gabriel and Alhambra high schools would end existing overcrowding but would not take care of future growth. She predicted that despite expansion, another high school will be needed in five years.

“Don’t be fooled that this is solving our problem forever,” she said. “We are Band-Aiding the problem.”

San Gabriel, Alhambra and Mark Keppel high schools have 9,600 students, 3,000 more than the schools were designed to serve, Peppin said. He said the district obtained state approval several years ago to add buildings to the campuses but then discovered that it qualified for funds to build a new high school and began seeking a site.

Residents Infuriated

The site search initially concentrated on the southeast part of the district in Rosemead, infuriating residents there who argued that most of the enrollment growth was in the western part of the district. Eventually the school board selected four potential sites, three in Rosemead and one in Monterey Park.

Estelle Holtz, a leader of the Rosemead Committee for Civic Action, which has fought against building a high school in Rosemead, urged the board to abandon the site-selection process. She said that for two years residents have lived in fear that their homes would be taken.

But school board members said the option of building a new school must remain available.

Peppin said he must consult with architects before providing any details on school expansion and its cost.