DISTRICT MAY REOPEN LONG-CLOSED SCHOOL TO MEET SIMI'S POPULATION PROJECTIONS.Byline: Angie Valencia Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - An elementary school elementary school: see school. closed more than 20 years ago could be reopened as a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus if school district enrollment climbs substantially as projected, officials said. Enrollment projections, which forecast an 11 percent increase in each of the next five years, have prompted district officials to consider reopening Belwood Elementary - though no formal discussion has taken place, said Mel Roop, assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. for facilities and property for the Simi Valley Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. . Such increases would call for the addition of 90 classrooms districtwide. The district now enrolls about 21,700 students in 28 schools. The Board of Education will review enrollment projections for the upcoming year in February. Officials may also consider boundary changes. ``We're going to wait a year to make any final decision,'' Roop said this past week. ``If the bond passes, reopening the school is one option to accommodate growth.'' Belwood Elementary, located at 3050 Kadota St., closed its doors 20 years ago because of low enrollment. Approval of a general obligation bond on the March 2 ballot would raise $145 million, money that would be used for upgrades and repairs in existing school facilities. The measure would fund an overhaul of outdated plumbing, heating, air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. and electrical systems, renovate restrooms and update classrooms and libraries over a 10-year period. The additional funding also gives district officials leeway lee·way n. 1. The drift of a ship or an aircraft to leeward of the course being steered. 2. A margin of freedom or variation, as of activity, time, or expenditure; latitude. See Synonyms at room. in considering alternate solutions - for example, the reopening of a school - to solve district problems such as overcrowding overcrowding overcrowding of animal accommodation. Many countries now publish codes of practice which define what the appropriate volumetric allowances should be for each species of animal when they are housed indoors. Breaches of these codes is overcrowding. . For years, district officials considered the reopening of any of three closed elementary schools to offset enrollment surges from a number of housing developments. If Belwood were to reopen and operate as a K-8 school, it would be the first of its kind in the district, though other districts in Ventura County operate in this manner. ``Nothing has been formally discussed at this time to reopen closed schools,'' said district Superintendent District Superintendent may be:
Noun NZ a mixture of nuts and dried fruits . ``The board is aware that we do have those closed facilities and could discuss them ... it's an option.'' Belwood's aging facilities mean that the school would undergo a number of repairs before it could reopen, Scroggin said. Construction to make the school fully functional would take a year, Roop said. The district reopened Arroyo Elementary 1 1/2 years ago to relieve overcrowding. Arroyo Principal Denise Vale said reopening a long-closed campus takes extra work and effort from staff and parents. ``Getting all programs up and running is challenging,'' she said. ``The school district is able to provide minimal supplies, basic tools. There are start-up funds, but it takes more than that.'' Arroyo Elementary School's PTA PTA or parent-teacher association: see parent education. is working toward building a library for the students. The goal is to raise enough money to buy 2,100 books, in order to bring the school library up to the state average of 12 books per student. The national average is about 25 books per child. If Unocal Land and Development Co. is successful with its proposal to build more than 1,300 homes in the city, the district could also see the addition of a new school along the Alamos The name Álamos can refer to the following:
Angie Valencia, (805) 583-7604 angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) The Simi Valley district may consider reopening a closed school if enrollment continues to increase. The district now has 28 schools and 21,700 students. (2) Cars crowd the parking lot at Madera Elementary School as parents double-park to pick up their kids after school. Growing enrollment may force the Simi Valley school district to consider reopening a closed school to handle students. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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