PLACENTIA : Schools to Get City Money for Repairs

An agreement between the city and the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District will give the district up to $6 million over the next 37 years to repair school buildings.

The city’s annual payment to the district will be based on the amount of taxes generated in the city’s redevelopment area. Under the agreement, the city will pay 6.25% of the first $1 million collected by the redevelopment agency and 10% of anything over $1 million.

According to Joyce Rosenthal, director of development services for the city, the district can use the money only to repair school buildings and not for such expenses as salaries or supplies. The money must be used at schools in the city.

Under a separate agreement, the city will give the district $200,000 for the cost of refurbishing Valencia High School Auditorium, which is used frequently by the city and community groups.

The district is in the midst of a $1.5-million project to modernize the auditorium, including making it accessible to people with disabilities. The auditorium has been closed since 1991, when the district deemed it unsafe. Recent improvements include new light rigging and reinforcement of floor boards.

City officials have been trying for years to help with improvements to the auditorium. The city became committed to the current refurbishing project in 1989, but it wasn’t until recently that funds became available.

One of the first events to be held in the auditorium when it opens early next year is the Miss Placentia contest, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.