HUNTINGTON BEACH : Revamping Schools, Boundaries Is Topic

Huntington Beach City School District officials expect to make major decisions soon to overhaul and expand facilities to make room for enrollment increases expected through the next decade.

Some of the issues under consideration are possible construction of new schools and extensive boundary changes, along with an increase in developers’ fees or a bond election to finance the work.

Public meetings are scheduled for today and Thursday so that residents can participate in the coming decisions. Today’s meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ethel R. Dwyer Middle School, 1502 Palm Ave. Thursday’s session will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Isaac L. Sowers Middle School, 9300 Indianapolis Ave.

The district currently has about 5,700 elementary and middle-school children. That total is expected to climb to more than 8,600 in the next 10 years.

The district closed five schools when enrollment began to decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The decline leveled off in 1988, and enrollment has steadily increased for the last four years as more families with children have moved into homes and apartments.

The five closed schools are in the eastern part of the district. Growth is expected on land to be developed on the west side of the district.

Community Systems Associates Inc. of Tustin has been working for the past 18 months on a master plan to meet the growth demands. Some of the consultant’s recommendations include:

* Moving bus transportation and maintenance facilities from the campuses at Dwyer and Agnes L. Smith schools to a new location.

* Redesigning the Dwyer and Smith campuses, including construction of a cafeteria, library and classrooms at Dwyer.

* Possible opening of a third middle school.

* Possible reopening of a closed school or construction of a school in the western part of the district, in addition to the Huntington Seacliff School expected to open in September, 1994.

* Possible boundary changes at all schools.

* Modernization of existing school sites.

* Financing alternatives include increased developer fees, state financing grants, a bond election and possible sale of closed sites.