Site committee seeks public’s input

Andrew Wainer

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The Huntington Beach City School District will hold a

public hearing regarding its three closed school sites at 7 p.m. Feb. 2.

A district committee that has been examining how to use the three sites

is holding the hearing to obtain public input on what to do with them,

said Jerry Buchanan, the district’s assistant superintendent. The three

sites are Burke School at 9700 Levee Drive, Gisler School at 21141

Strathmoor Lane and LeBard School at 20451 Craimer Lane.

The committee’s preliminary recommendation, after months of deliberation,

is that all three sites be categorized surplus. However, the committee is

recommending the district keep at least one site and seek a long-term

lease of the Gisler campus.

Talk of selling the Gisler site has raised the ire of some residents who

are opposed to selling off the campus, saying it could leave the Gisler

neighborhood in a bind if there is an unexpected increase in student

population.

The committee also is recommending the district retain the LeBard site as

the district headquarters.

Burke is the smallest of the three campuses. The committee, made up of

members appointed by the school board, is recommending the district sell

that site. However, Buchanan said there are some members -- a minority --

who believe the Burke site should also be leased on a long-term basis

rather than sold.

The public hearing will take place in the district board room, 20451

Craimer Lane, Huntington Beach.

Information on the issue of the closed school sites is available by

calling the district at 964-8888.