ALISO VIEJO : District Faces Delay in School Opening

Rain-related construction delays will likely keep Aliso Viejo Middle School from opening on time next September, a probability that has school officials scrambling to create a backup plan.

“We had an act of God on the first order during the first two months of this year,” said Capistrano Unified School District Supt. James A. Fleming, referring to the rainstorms that hit the area. “We’re about 90% sure we won’t have the middle school ready for September.”

Meanwhile, Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo will open as scheduled in September, officials said. Because of the rains, some ancillary buildings--such as the athletics facility and swimming complex--are behind schedule, but most of the campus will be ready for classes, officials said.

But because of the expected delay at the middle school, about 800 students--who would otherwise attend Aliso Viejo Middle School starting Sept. 9--will instead start the academic year at Niguel Hills Intermediate in Laguna Niguel, according to Thomas Anthony, director of secondary schools.

Officials hope that the $25.6-million school will open by late October.

“It’s going to be crowded for a month and half or so,” Anthony said. “The timing is bad, but we just have to bear with it.”

Aliso Viejo Middle School is being opened in part to ease crowding at Niguel Hills Intermediate, which has already exceeded capacity with about 1,900 students.

Under the backup plan, the two schools will operate separately with their own administrators and teachers, although students might have to share some classes, such as physical education and shop, Anthony said. Keeping the two schools as separate as possible will reduce disruption when the Aliso Viejo students move, he said.

Just about “every square inch” of space at Niguel Hills, from the library to multipurpose rooms, will be used for classrooms, he said.