Board to Consider Classroom Building

The school board will consider a proposal tonight to purchase a two-story modular unit that could help ease the space problem at heavily populated Moorpark High School.

The structure, which could be installed this summer for the 2000-01 school year, would bring added classroom space to the school, which has almost 2,100 students.

“We are expecting to have 20 new classrooms from this,” said David Pollack, a Moorpark Unified School District board member. “Teachers usually teach five periods and one prep period. In some cases, we have asked teachers to leave [their classrooms] during their prep period, so that teachers without permanent classrooms can come in and teach.”

The two-story semi-permanent building would be assembled on site and have an elevator for disabled students.

“It won’t be able to address all the needs we have at the high school,” said board member Mindy Yaras, “but it’s a beginning.”

The money for the modular classroom units will come from the $13.6-million school construction bond received from the state earlier this year. The funds have been earmarked to complete campus renovations including a new gymnasium and locker facilities, a science building with five labs, a music building and additional classrooms.

“Our enrollment keeps growing, and we need room to offer all the classes,” Pollack said.