Parents Seek Say-So in Use of School Funds

It’s the thespians versus the football players as interest groups in the Irvine Unified School District vie for a chunk of the $2 million to $3 million expected from the sale of a former elementary school.

Woodbridge High School parents want a theater. University High parents want a stadium. Both groups lobbied school board members Tuesday night to give their pet projects first consideration.

“Woodbridge High School is the only high school that does not have a theater,” parent Richard Butler said to school board members. “We feel the students of Woodbridge deserve at least equal to what the other high schools have.”

A lecture hall that was converted about 10 years ago into a theater at Woodbridge High was closed by county fire inspectors in April because of safety code violations. The school’s musical and theatrical performers have since held open-air performances on campus.

Former University High parent John Pitchess told the school board that a new sports stadium would benefit a greater number of students, especially those in southern Irvine. The district’s only stadium, at Irvine High School, is in the northern part of the city.

Some trustees have indicated their support for a theater, but board President Mary Ellen Hadley said both projects will be considered. Hadley is wary of making a financial commitment to either project until the 4.5-acre Yale Avenue site is sold.