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Board declares emergency for Wilson High electrical repairs after theft, authorizes continuation of work
Summary
After two incidents of copper theft that disabled Wilson High School’s campus power, the Hacienda La Puente Unified board adopted an emergency resolution to allow repairs and payment to proceed without the normal public-bid process; the vote to adopt the resolution was 5–0.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District board on Dec. 19 adopted a resolution finding that the Nov. 17 theft and vandalism of electrical infrastructure at Wilson High School constituted an emergency, enabling repairs needed to restore campus-wide power and resume in-person instruction. The motion to adopt the emergency declaration was made by Trustee Geno Kwok and seconded by Trustee Loera; the resolution passed on roll call 5–0.
Superintendent Dr. Jimenez told the board that the second incident disabled the school's electrical system and that repair work was necessary "in order for the district to process payment for the repairs made for the school to resume in person instruction." CBO Manoj Roy Chowdhury described the emergency procurement route under California public contract law and said the district's running tab was "north of $40,000," while noting the final total is still being determined. Board counsel also reminded trustees that adoption of the emergency finding allows work and later review of expenditures at subsequent regular meetings until the emergency is declared over.
Trustees who had previously abstained on the Dec. 17 agenda item said they wanted more information before voting originally; during the Dec. 19 reconsideration the board heard a fuller explanation of how emergency authority is used, vendor vetting safeguards, and the requirement that the board revisit the emergency regularly. The board directed staff to continue reporting dollar amounts and project status as repairs proceed.
