Gas Leak: Displaced Students to Stay in Temporary Schools

The head of the Los Angeles Unified School District said today she was happy to hear about the permanent sealing of a leaking natural gas well that forced the relocation of students from two schools, but she said those students will remain at their temporary locations while the district plans for their return.

Roughly 1,100 kindergarten through 8th-grade students at Porter Ranch Community School have been attending class at Northridge Middle School since the beginning of the year. The 770 kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Castlebay Lane Charter School have been at Sunny Brae Elementary School in Winnetka.

LAUSD officials said absentee rates had been unusually high at both Porter Ranch-area campuses since the leak began in late October. The school board declared an emergency at those campuses, and voted to relocate the students through the end of the school year.

Superintendent Michelle King said today the district will begin making arrangements for the students’ return now that the leak has been capped.

“This will allow us to start planning for the return of students and staff to their home campuses at Porter Ranch Community School and Castlebay Lane Charter,” King said. “Our students continue to attend classes in their satellite campuses, where we have created a positive environment to support the teaching and learning experience. The safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority.”

Related: Environmental Nightmare Ends: Gas Leak Officially Capped

City News Service