Whittier : Principal Chosen to Reopen Leffingwell School

The East Whittier City School District named a principal for Leffingwell School less than 24 hours after the school board reaffirmed its controversial decision to reopen the school.

The district announced Tuesday that Thomas F. Lewis, principal of the district’s Laurel Elementary School, will transfer to Leffingwell.

Dozens of parents have objected to reopening Leffingwell as a means to reduce overcrowded conditions. Earlier this year, a board-appointed committee suggested alternatives to reopening Leffingwell, which is currently a special education campus for severely handicapped students.

Nonetheless, in a specially called meeting Monday night, the school board voted unanimously to reaffirm its plans for Leffingwell. District officials say reopening the school gives the district complete facilities with room to grow as well as providing a way to integrate more handicapped students into the mainstream of the school system.

The public meeting Monday lasted exactly two minutes. Board members did not stay to hear the objections of some 30 parents who were in attendance. Instead, the board adjourned to a closed session, during which members made their decision to hire Lewis.