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Teacher raises safety, space and timeline concerns about Newcomer High relocation; staff says site partly ready
Summary
A Newcomer High School teacher told the board staff fears over a tentative move to Laguna Honda, citing lack of yard/cafeteria space and uncertainty about renovations; district staff said two floors are ready, enrollment is 266, capacity 540, and staff will continue rush to finish the third floor and storage.
Cynthia Chen, a teacher at Newcomer High School, asked the Board of Education on Aug. 8 for clearer information about a tentative move to the Laguna Honda site scheduled for the start of the school year. Chen said staff received notice from the principal about a planned move but remained unsure whether renovations at Laguna Honda would be complete, asking specifically when a makeshift cafeteria would be ready, how outdoor yard space and security for potentially 400–500 students would be managed, and whether the school could stay at its existing Jackson site for another year while a permanent site is prepared.
Board members requested a written response to the teachers' questions in the next few days. Superintendent Chan and Chief Facilities Officer David Golden told the board that as of the meeting Newcomer enrollment stood at 266 with a capacity of 540. Chan said the first two floors at the Laguna site are ready and the district would continue to rush work on the third floor and storage; Associate Superintendent Ginny Pan will work to address PE requirement issues and Student Nutrition staff will address meal service. A district-led site walk-through was scheduled for the following Thursday with representatives from multiple departments to assess remaining work.
The board pledged to provide answers to staff questions and to continue communication with Newcomer staff and families. No formal action (motion or vote) was taken on relocation at the meeting; board members requested written follow-up and site visits to verify readiness before the school year begins.
Next steps: staff to provide a written report to the board and to Newcomer staff with timelines and status of renovations, and to report back at or before the next board meeting.
