Ocean View district schools to construct new gyms

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Although the community was divided on the issue,

the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the

construction of a gymnasium-auditorium at each of the four middle

schools.

Dozens of community members spoke for and against the facilities. In

response to the mixed reactions, Trustee Carol Kanode requested that the

board form a community advisory committee to address residents’ concerns.

Some residents said they didn’t like the idea of the district renting

the gyms out to community groups, such as local basketball and soccer

youth leagues. Some said they were concerned by the traffic and parking

problems that the after-school activities could bring to their

neighborhoods. Besides congestion on the street, some also said they

worry about safety and noise caused by speeding cars.

Principals, coaches and parents applauded the district for its efforts

to build the facilities to improve physical education classes, bolster a

sense of community and allow for better accommodations for families

during graduation ceremonies, plays and parent meetings.

“We don’t get the money like other programs,” said Jack Edwards, a

physical education coach at Vista View Middle School who said he hoped

the gyms would allow him to teach a better physical education curriculum

with high standards.

Some parents and residents welcomed the centers that would give

children a safe place for recreation, as well as promote sports and

extracurricular activities.

The divided group took Supt. Jim Tarwater by surprise. He said he

expected the community would embrace the issue.

“I apologize,” he said. “I thought everybody would be for something

that we haven’t been able to build in 28 years.”

Despite the concerns, board members said they didn’t want to stall

construction. The board hopes to work out concerns and other details

through the advisory board, trustees said.

The board is expected to discuss the project, as well as the community

advisory board, in more detail at its meeting Oct. 3.