Six New Proposed Elementary Schools

On Tuesday, October 12, 1999, over 70 community members convened at Wilshire Presbyterian Church to reach consensus on a master plan for schools in the neighborhoods surrounding Cahuenga Elementary School. This pilot project had arisen out of an LAUSD site selection process that had gone awry. Earlier this year, the district backed away from a proposal to expand the existing Cahuenga Elementary School onto adjacent residential property in the 100 block of North Harvard Blvd after longtime homeowners balked. Thus, the district enabled a fresh start, and a new community process began in late July—bringing us to the development of community site recommendations this last Tuesday. 

Participants included the principal and staff of Cahuenga Elementary School, parents of both Cahuenga and bused students, leaders and members of the Beverly Kingsley Neighborhood Association, the Korean American Coalition, Korean American Family Services Center, the YMCA, Los Angeles EcoVillage, plus some business owners and developers.

A total of 23 community site suggestions were reviewed by Concordia and participants. Nine of these sites were presented as highly recommended sites by Concordia based upon size, location, joint use opportunities, relocation issues and cost. Each participant was asked to select six preferred sites and a number one site. After votes were tallied, and final results were announced.

The community agreed to the following:

• Community would ideally like to see the District plan six small schools of approximately 400-600 students each, spread strategically around the neighborhood.

• Community designated the sites #1,#3,#22,#18,#10, and #16 to present to the Facilities Committee as desirable sites for schools.

• Community identified three backup sites: #8, #13, #23

Sites 1 & 3 are already in feasibility studies, as forwarded by Caprice Young in August. Concordia is crafting the written proposal in support for this master plan—it will be turned in on October 20 to the Facilities Committee.

On October 28, the community will make a presentation to the Facilities Committee, asking for consideration of their school sites.

For more information: New Schools

Concepts