180 Days of Learning : LA HABRA CITY

A $2.9-million rehabilitation of Las Lomas Elementary School, stalled for years, finally will be completed by the time school starts this fall, officials said.

The project, which was supposed to start in December 1994, was postponed by the Orange County bankruptcy. La Habra City School District’s money for Las Lomas and other projects--$13 million in all--had been in a county investment pool that collapsed that month.

In the past year, 95% of the district’s investment has been recovered, and 2% more is expected in the next couple months, Supt. Richard Hermann said.

The money is desperately needed to improve facilities, Hermann said.

“We already have 600 kids over capacity, and we expect another 600 by the year 2002,” he said.

Meanwhile, a remodeled school with a new wing housing classrooms, a teacher lounge, nursing station, office and special-education department awaits the return of students at Las Lomas this fall.

Also visible from Euclid Street will be new trees and other landscaping. “Las Lomas now is a real gem,” Hermann said.

The district also has installed new computer labs at all eight elementary schools.

“We were fortunate to get some rebates on workers’ compensation premiums and liability premiums and a grant of $50,000 per school for state-of-the-art computer labs,” Hermann said.

Finally, several campuses will have new personnel. Sandy Baltes will be principal at Las Positas Elementary. Tim Harvey, former principal of Laurel Elementary School in Brea, will succeed Assistant Supt. Ruth Fehr, who recently retired.