San Diego

The campus at Patrick Henry High School in San Carlos will remain open for students to leave during lunch period, although two San Diego Unified School District board members said Tuesday that they favor changing district policy and closing campuses during lunch at all high schools in the district.

At a closed campus no students would be allowed to leave the school grounds during lunch periods.

A school committee from Henry studied the matter at the suggestion of many parents and board member Jim Roache. The panel recommended Tuesday that the school remain an open campus, despite an overwhelming desire on the part of teachers and parents for closing. Roache and colleague Shirley Weber questioned the conclusions drawn from the data and were joined by several parents who said a closed campus would lessen drug and alcohol use during lunch and promote school pride.

Parents and business people from Tierrasanta attacked the report, especially the contention that costs would increase with closed campuses because more security guards would be need. Tierrasanta residents also favor closing Serra High School during lunch hours.

Although Supt. Tom Payzant said he will not initiate a change in districtwide policy, Tierrasanta residents could ask for a study of Serra High leading to a closed campus, or Weber and Roache could propose an overall policy change or a school-by-school option.