Board Votes to Study Retail Site for School
- Share via
Despite opposition from developers and business leaders, the Los Angeles Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to study the environmental, community and economic impact of acquiring a portion of a 55-acre retail corridor for a high school in the east San Fernando Valley.
Last week, school officials said they plan to examine a broader retail area for a high school to include the Los Angeles Unified School District’s original preferred site--an operating Robinsons-May--plus nearby Valley Plaza.
The proposed high school would ease overcrowding at North Hollywood and Francis Polytechnic high schools, which have a combined enrollment of 7,200 students.
A feasibility study of the retail district, marketed by developers as “Twin Plaza,” could take nine months or longer and is the first step in acquiring a site.
The district risks losing funding from Proposition 1A, the largest school bond measure in California history, to build 48 schools, if officials fail to identify sites, purchase land and devise architectural plans before the June 30 deadline.
School board member Caprice Young will hold a meeting Thursday night for community members concerned about school overcrowding. Suggestions for alternative sites will also be considered.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Walter Reed Middle School, 4525 Irvine Ave.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
