YORBA LINDA : New Boundary May Mean New School

A proposed change in the boundaries between Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified and Brea-Olinda Unified School districts could lead to construction of an elementary school in northern Yorba Linda.

Seeking to realign district boundaries to follow the city limits, Brea-Olinda district officials want to transfer an 895-acre parcel known as the Shell property to Placentia-Yorba Linda in exchange for a 164-acre piece of land that lies within that district’s boundaries.

Both parcels have been slated by the owners for housing developments. District officials are estimating that 2,300 houses could be built on the Shell property alone, resulting in 1,000 new school-age children.

If the Shell property is developed, the Placentia-Yorba Linda District will build an elementary school to accommodate the new students, said Kim Stallings, assistant superintendent for Placentia-Yorba Linda.

But Stallings said the new school, which would be paid for with developer fees, is at least 10 years away.

Although developers typically set aside land for school sites at the beginning of a project, the funds may not be available until midway through construction, Stallings said.

Stallings said the Placentia-Yorba Linda District is exploring the benefits of the proposed change.

“What we have to look at is the amount of students generated by any development in the area and the cost involved with educating and transporting them,” Stallings said. “We are also looking at how it will add to the value of our district.”

The district must also consider the accessibility of the areas in question and determine ways to provide transportation for the students after the property is developed.

Stallings said the matter will probably be brought back to the school board in August in the form of a resolution. If both Placentia-Yorba Linda and Brea-Olinda school boards approve the resolutions, the matter will then go to the Orange County Committee on School District Organization for final approval. The group is made up of school board members from throughout the county.

Because the land area in question is a relatively uninhabited, Stallings said the committee would probably approve the change.