By Wendy L. Moore

LAUSD announced a proposed construction project at the Porter Ranch Community School to address the school’s rapid projected growth at an April 2015 meeting at PRCS.  Speaker Al Grazioli of LAUSD Facilities explained that the school was originally constructed not only to address local growth but as part of LAUSD’s effort to address overcrowding, bussing, and year round calendar schooling across the city. Enrollment at PRCS exceeded expectations within three years of opening and now LAUSD projects enrollment to grow from its current level of 1,050 students to about 1,450 in the 2018-2019 school year.

To address the expected growth PRCS will not be issuing any new student permits in the coming school year, will eliminate the optional attendance area of the Porter Ranch Estates for the middle school, and will install 4 new portable classrooms near the administration building for the 2015-2016 school year as a stop-gap measure. To address the growth long term, they propose building another building between the gym and middle school building on a pad that was reserved for this purpose. Fortunately, the potential need was anticipated and the additional building was included in the original Environmental Impact Report. That step alone saves months of additional work and accelerates the project substantially.

The new building is expected to connect to the existing middle school building sharing the same corridors and elevators. The project would include nine classrooms, restrooms, administration area, expansion of the lunch area with shade adjacent to the existing lunch area, and additional staff parking on the opposite end of the grass field from the current on campus parking.

The anticipated schedule calls for builder approval by the end of 2015 and project completion at the beginning of 2019. The most immediate next steps are seeking approval by the LAUSD Bond Oversight Committee on April 30, 2015 and LAUSD Board of Education on May 12, 2015. The Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council was instrumental in partnering with LAUSD, Shapell, and the Councilmember’s office in the original development of the school and plans to discuss a letter of support at the upcoming May meeting. Certainly parents in support of the school are encouraging to write letters of support and / or attend the Board of Education meeting. Please join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 6pm at PRCS as we discuss our support.

View LAUSD Expansion Presentation