Bleachers at Seat of the Problem at Ocean View High

Parents and students recently complained to the Huntington Beach Union High School board that the district has not provided bleachers for Ocean View High School.

Numerous speakers told the school board at its last meeting that school pride suffered, because without the 3,000-seat bleachers, graduation ceremonies must be held elsewhere and teams cannot host home games.

The problem stems from a 20-year ground lease the district signed with Home Depot, which is building a store next to the school at Warner Avenue and Golden West Street. Home Depot agreed to replace the athletic fields that its construction would affect. But when drawings of the area were displayed showing the bleachers, residents thought they would be included, said Patricia Koch, assistant superintendent of business services.

“People thought this was a promise,” she said. “But it was a misunderstanding, because the district never approved funding the bleachers.”

Koch said the bleachers are on a $76-million facility improvement list the district is reviewing. The board is expected to discuss the issue in April.