Boom in Students Taxing Huntington Beach City Schools

Times have changed dramatically in the Huntington Beach City School District, once so hard hit by declining enrollment that it closed five schools.

Today, the district is straining to cope with a boom in student population.

Nearly all eight schools that survived the enrollment drought are now crowded or approaching full capacity, and relief will be needed, officials say. The prospect of declining revenues from the state at the time of enrollment gains complicates affairs.

The problem is a central issue in the school district, which will hold an election on Nov. 3. Three candidates are vying for two seats vacated by Gary Nelson, a 13-year incumbent, and Karen O’Bric, who served nine years.

For a while, it appeared there would be no election, because only two people, Catherine McGough and Brian Rechsteiner, filed to run. They would been appointed, because an election would have been a mere formality costing the district about $30,000. But attorney Michael Villeneuve, claiming people in the district should have a choice on who sets education policy in their schools, filed papers on the day of the deadline to run.

The school district, which two years ago began to recover from eroding enrollment, has slightly more than 5,700 pupils this fall, up about 100 from last year. Forecasts call for 1.5% to 2% gains annually for the next several years.

The increase comes primarily from new developments in the western parts of the city, where most of the schools already are crowded. The five school sites that were closed during the period of enrollment decline generally are located in the east side of the city.

Administrators will receive recommendations early next month on whether to reopen a school on the east side and whether it should be a middle school or an elementary school.

Villeneuve says a reopening of schools should be considered carefully, because it will require additional busing of students and more transportation costs.

McGough and Rechsteiner said the district should be reorganized to have as little impact as possible on pupils and parents.

Meanwhile, a new school will be built for the first time in about 15 years. The $11-million elementary school, to accommodate youngsters in the Holly-Seacliff housing development, is expected to open in 1994.

In an agreement with the city and school officials, the Seacliff Partners development company will pay for a school to accommodate 800 pupils. The school district will pay for any additional construction needed to handle more than 800. School officials expect the housing project ultimately will mean about 1,100 youngsters in local schools.

Huntington Beach City School District

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the board of the Huntington Beach City School District in the Nov. 3 election. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5. To register, pick up a form at any post office, library or city hall. For more information, call the county registrar of voters at (714) 567-7600.

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Catherine McGough

Age: 41

Occupation: Vice president, Huntington Beach Adult School.

Background: Assists Ocean View High School booster clubs, husband is a teacher and coach there; attends City Council, Planning Commission meetings when school issues arise.

Priorities: Believes in concept of neighborhood school; would promote classroom lectures by business people and community members on their specialties; would strive to recruit high-caliber teachers and personnel.

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Brian Rechsteiner

Age: 47

Occupation: Marketing manager, Mobil Oil Corp.

Background: Initiated Toastmasters’ youth leadership program at Sowers and Dwyer schools; vice president of South Huntington Beach National Junior Basketball League.

Priorities: Opposes state voucher program; proposes that any school boundary changes necessitated by the influx of children from the Holly-Seacliff development minimize movement of children from schools; would guard against increases in classroom sizes in times of budget squeeze.

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Michael Villeneuve

Age: 40

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Assistant volunteer coach for Special Olympics at Hawes School, 1986-89; judge pro tem Los Angeles Superior Court.

Priorities: Advocates long-term planning to deal with major population shifts of students; would find use for closed school sites; seeks to find a way to deal with declining state finances without increasing class size or reducing number of teachers and aides.