Panel Will Recommend at Least 2 New Elementary Schools

About $120 million may be needed to build, expand and modernize Ventura Unified School District schools over the next 10 to 15 years, according to a committee formed to determine the district’s future facilities needs.

The committee, which has been meeting for four months, agreed Thursday night to recommend that school trustees support the building of at least two additional elementary schools--one on the east end of Ventura, the other on the west--and possibly another in east Ventura, depending on how a move to reduce the size of classes in lower elementary grades works out.

In addition, the committee recommended consolidating Oak View and Arnaz elementary schools on the Arnaz campus, building a new middle school in east Ventura and creating at least one new high school.

Pursuing a bond measure, selling off the district’s surplus real estate, asking developers to pay a share of the new school building costs, and seeking state funds are among the recommended ways to finance the construction and modernization.

The committee plans to meet at least once more before coming up with the final recommendation they will present to the city officials and trustees by Jan. 9. The next meeting, which is open to the public, will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 120 E. Santa Clara St.