3 NEW SCHOOLS LAUSD MILEPOST 8,000 STUDENTS AVOID YEAR-ROUND CLASSES.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN Staff Writer

More than 8,000 students flooded three new high schools that opened Tuesday in the east San Fernando Valley -- the largest single-day opening of high schools in Los Angeles Unified School District history.

The new campuses in Arleta, Panorama City and North Hollywood relieve overcrowding at five established campuses.

``A new school is a new promise to the community,'' said school board member Jon Lauritzen, who represents the area served by East Valley High in North Hollywood. ``This area has been waiting a long time for a traditional-calendar high school and I am proud that we are finally able to deliver.''

Fellow school board member Julie Korenstein, whose district includes Panorama City and Arleta, said the day was special for the Valley.

``When we take 8,000 students off the bus and build three new high schools for them in their neighborhoods, that's a good job,'' she said.

The LAUSD has opened 65 schools as part of its $19.2 billion voter-approved construction program -- the largest public-works program in the nation -- which is expected to be completed in 2012.

Ten more are to open this year, and 29 projects will be put out for bid in the next year.

``William Mulholland brought water to Los Angeles. Roy Romer brought schools to Los Angeles,'' City Councilman Tom LaBonge said at East Valley High's opening.

Students at the new schools enjoyed nearly an extra month of summer vacation; all other LAUSD schools on a traditional two-semester calendar opened Sept. 5. To make up for the late start, their school year will be extended next June, and their winter and spring breaks will be shorter.

On the first day, rivalries were already brewing among the Arleta Mustangs, Panorama Pythons and East Valley Falcons, whose campuses are within eight miles of each other.

Football player Maka Maka was more excited about the prospects of the Mustangs than about being able to walk to school. If the school hadn't opened, he would have had to attend Monroe High School in North Hills.

``It's a new school and nobody thinks a new school is really good.

``They think we're rookies and stuff,'' said Maka, 14, of Arleta. ``But we've already won two games.''

Amid the celebration, state Sen. Richard Alarcon touched on the battle between the district and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, whose legislation to take over significant oversight of the district is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

However, the LAUSD is expected to file suit to determine the constitutionality of the law, which could delay its start.

``Several years ago, the voters made their staunch commitment to education when they voted for the bonds. But what good is it when you're building brand new buildings but not committing to the best educational program?'' said Alarcon, who was among the district and city leaders who took a bus tour of the three schools. ``Now, we have to commit to voters that we're going to commit to quality educational programs to fill these schools, but there is no question this is a day of celebration.''

The three state-of-the-art schools, each with distinct architecture, cost a total of $278 million and feature amenities such as football fields, pools, dance rooms and theaters.

Arleta will serve 2,175 students; Panorama, 2,800; and East Valley, 2,800. The new schools relieve crowding at Monroe, Polytechnic, North Hollywood, Van Nuys and San Fernando high schools.

``It's absolutely beautiful and next year the academic program will include performing arts, media and communications, and business small-learning communities,'' said Zaida Diaz-Torres, whose daughter started as a freshman at East Valley High, as she looked around the school's new theater. ``If this school hadn't been built, my daughter would have gone to North Hollywood High, which is year-round.''

And in the wake of a Sept. 14 shooting outside Birmingham High, the district took steps to ensure security around the new schools.

All LAUSD schools have handheld metal detectors and continue to conduct random weapons searches.

In addition, the Arleta and Panorama City campuses were each assigned two officers and North Hollywood one, but the police are working on beefing up security around campuses by increasing patrol units in the area at least in the first weeks of school, said Sgt. David Mackie.

At East Valley High, Alarcon said the campus symbolizes the once-blighted neighborhood's resilience and determination to rebuild itself.

``This was a gang-infested, drug-dealing neighborhood. The General Motors plant was shut down. ... But this community was strong,'' he said.

``We're here to celebrate this community being reborn.''

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Students arrive early at Arleta High as the school board stages a news conference to open Arleta and two other new schools.

(2 -- 3 -- color) East Valley High history teacher Marylin Gunn speaks to her students as officials tour the new campus, above left. Above right, a large courtyard separates facing buildings at the new Panorama High campus. Both schools opened Tuesday.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer