Norwalk-La Mirada : Plan to Keep Students on Campus at Lunch Studied

Citing safety concerns, administrators are considering a plan to keep high school students on campus at lunch in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.

Students at Glenn High School in Norwalk, Norwalk High School and La Mirada High School could be forbidden to leave campus at lunch as early as next month.

Currently, juniors and seniors are allowed to eat lunch off campus, officials said.

“The campus is much safer than the community,” Glenn High Principal Newton Hart said at Monday’s school board meeting. “Most of the threats to our students come from outside the campus.”

An off-campus car accident during a lunch break claimed the life of La Mirada High School junior Jimmy Wilson last April.

District officials have discussed the issue for several months with parents and students, most of whom want campuses closed at lunch, said Edward Wong, administrator of school programs.

Board members disagreed on what to substitute in place of student lunch privileges. Armando Moreno said he supports allowing fast-food vendors, such as Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken, to operate on campuses.

“Bring the food in. We’re talking about keeping the students happy,” Moreno said.

But Trustee Rudy Bermudez said using outside vendors jeopardizes the jobs of cafeteria workers. “I’m opposed to contracting out for anything,” Bermudez said.

The district will have a public hearing on the matter at 6:30 tonight in the Glenn High cafeteria, 13520 Shoemaker Ave., Norwalk.