School Quake Safety : Districts Scramble To Be Ready For the Next One

Last week, a state task force told lawmakers that schoolchildren might be in serious danger if a major earthquake strikes when classes are in session. A report prepared by the task force formed after the Northridge Earthquake pointed out that school buildings and staffs should be better equipped to handle catastrophic situations.

None of the last 10 major earthquakes in California have struck while school is in session, but members of the task force said the state’s luck will not likely hold. By not being properly prepared school districts open themselves up to a potential “tsunami of litigation” should injuries occur at school during a quake.

The report said local districts are lax in their implementation of safety procedures and of programs to secure furniture and fixtures that might topple onto students during violent shaking.

A study of how the Los Angeles Unified School District handled the earthquake crisis, released last month, recommended that the district secure equipment and furniture in classrooms and offices. The district is attempting to secure federal funds for those improvements.

With a $600-million maintenance backlog, school district officials say they have not had the money nor the resources to regularly inspect school buildings, let alone make the seismic improvements.

Here’s how Valley-area school districts compare. The chart shows how many schools were built before 1976--when new construction standards were adopted--how they have been upgraded to withstand earthquakes, how frequently they are inspected and whether furniture and fixtures are secured against quakes.

How The Districts Measure Up SCHOOL DISTRICT: Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Two of three SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Semi-annual PRECAUTIONS: Some bolting of furniture/fixtures.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Antelope Valley Union High School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Three of five comprehensive high schools and one continuation school SEISMIC UPGRADES: None upgraded INSPECTIONS: Monthly by staff PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Burbank School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: All 19 SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: None regularly scheduled PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Castaic Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: One of three SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Regular PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Eastside Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Two of three SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: None regularly scheduled PRECAUTIONS: Program to fasten heavy objects began in March.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Glendale Unified School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: All 27 SEISMIC UPGRADES: Sporadic updating during major remodeling. INSPECTIONS: As needed and after quakes PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Gorman School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Lone school SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Annual PRECAUTIONS: Most furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Lone school SEISMIC UPGRADES: None except for safety glass INSPECTIONS: By committee and private contractor PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Keppel Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Half of six elementary and junior high schools SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: By committee PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Lancaster School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: 10 of 14 elementary and junior high campuses SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Regular PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Las Virgenes Unified School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Eight of 13 SEISMIC UPGRADES: One room upgraded INSPECTIONS: Annual PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Newhall School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: All five SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Annual PRECAUTIONS: 60% of furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Palmdale School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Six of 18 elementary and junior high campuses SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: By safety officers PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Saugus Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Seven of 10 SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Monthly PRECAUTIONS: Most furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Sulphur Springs Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Six of seven SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Monthly PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Westside Union School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Five of 10 SEISMIC UPGRADES: Unknown INSPECTIONS: Regular PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: Wilsona School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: All three SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Regular PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

*SCHOOL DISTRICT: William S. Hart Union High School District CAMPUSES BUILT BEFORE 1976: Headquarters and continuation high school SEISMIC UPGRADES: None INSPECTIONS: Annual PRECAUTIONS: Furniture/fixtures secured.

Source: School districts; Compiled by AARON CURTISS / Los Angeles Times