Westminster : Surplus Schools Could Bring Needed Funding

The Westminster School District, a victim of falling enrollment and severe budget problems, is forming a citizens committee to determine what to do with four surplus elementary schools. One possibility is to turn them into income-producing properties, officials said.

The district, whose enrollment is half what it was in 1970, is seeking applicants to serve on a panel dubbed the “seven-11” committee. State law dictates that there be from seven to 11 representatives on a panel that determines the disposition of surplus buildings.

School board trustees will review the applications and name the committee at their Aug. 17 meeting, according to Ray Rodriguez, the district’s public information officer.

The financially strapped district launched an unsuccessful ballot measure in March that would have imposed an additional property tax of up to $100 a year on residential parcels to renovate school buildings and restore educational programs cut by budget shortages. The ballot measure was defeated by a 3-1 margin.

Rodriguez said the four surplus schools are currently being leased to a parochial school, a court-reporting school, a day-care facility and Orange Coast College.

Because enrollment is not expected to grow much within the next five years, trustees decided that they should study other uses for the properties. Other districts have entered into joint partnerships with developers to turn school facilities into commercial operations.

Applications for the committee can be obtained at the district offices at 14121 Cedarwood Ave.