SPCC, SPUHSD Trustees examine campus options, ask for VCC meeting

October 07, 2005
Santa Paula News

After learning details on building a new school and forging a stronger cooperative relationship, an invitation was issued to Ventura Community College to sit down with members of the City Council and Santa Paula Union High School District Trustees at an October 20 subcommittee meeting.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAfter learning details on building a new school and forging a stronger cooperative relationship, an invitation was issued to Ventura Community College to sit down with members of the City Council and Santa Paula Union High School District Trustees at an October 20 subcommittee meeting. Tuesday’s special joint session was held to discuss the need for a new high school to ease the strain on the overcrowded historic campus.Students must also be considered as the city grows, and although the elementary school district has been at the table for inclusion in development, Santa Paula High School has been left “empty-handed,” said Richard Alamillo, a SPHS senior and student representative on the district board.SPUHSD Superintendent Dr. David Gomez outlined the five options the district has identified, including four not supported by the board. To double the existing capacity at the 13.5 useable acres school, up to 190 homes would have to be bought or seized by eminent domain, an action not embraced by the trustees on various levels, including expense. Overall, the district would rather construct a second school with a capacity for 1,200 students, a plan that would require a 40-acre campus, he noted.Limoneira Co. property known as East Area 1 would be ideal, but a 40-acre parcel has already been committed to the Ventura Community College District. However, many of the council members and SPUHSD trustees broached the subject of a joint facility.Other areas subject to study could be Peck and Foothill Roads, Hallock Drive and Highway 126, and the lower entrance to Adams Canyon. “We did look at the hospital, but it was too small, plus Wally (City Manager Bobkiewicz) said no,” Gomez said with a smile.
Gomez noted several times that high school expansion plans are dependent on actual, not potential, growth in Fagan and Adams Canyon as well as East Area 1. Developer fees would help offset some costs, voters might embrace a bond measure, and the state could also supply half the cost if criteria are met, he added.The criteria for school siting rely more on “safety, safety, safety” rather than location, said George Shaw, a consultant with the state Department of Education. Rising concerns about obesity mandate parameters for physical education, not just organized sports.Councilman Gabino Aguirre noted that modular buildings could be an option to trim costs and construction times; it takes up to seven years from planning to completion to build a new campus. “I think there is a possibility of joint use facilities” with VCC, Aguirre noted later in the discussion.Such shared uses have been shown to be positive, said Shaw. An attempt to get VCC representatives - the college’s stated position is that they do wish to share East Area 1 property - to the table for the October meeting was the only direction issued by the council and SPUHS trustees.Council members and SPUHSD trustees found the unusual joint session positive, Bobkiewicz said later. “That’s one of the things that makes Santa Paula so unique in Ventura County... we do as a community deal with issues.”



Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster