LETTER OF THE WEEK

There is a development going on that should be the concern of parents

in the Fountain Valley-Huntington Beach area. I’m speaking of the saga of

Building C at Fountain Valley High School.

During the bond campaign last year, the Huntington Beach Union High

School District made much ado about the condition of Building C. Rebuffed

on the ballot, it went after state funds to raze and replace Building C.

Cafeteria employees have been given notice, but no one seems to know

much else. I’ll stipulate Building C looks a sight. It has buckled floors

and skewed doors. But that doesn’t mean it’s about to fall down. While

adults spin ‘Chicken Little” yarns, the students laugh. Is Building C

really unsafe, and is replacing it the best application of limited

resources?

While I’m neither a structural nor seismic engineer, I have a science

background and work in the engineering and construction field. Based upon

what’s been related to me, I think the 20-year-old “temporary” modulars

represent a bigger safety hazard.

These buildings have been significantly weakened by rust and termites.

They are set on piers. I’m told they are not adequately strapped down.

During a major earthquake, they could take a 2- to 3-foot tumble.

The reason we have problems at Fountain Valley High School is that it

stands on a peat bog. If Building C is razed and a new building is

erected, it will stand on the same bog. The only way to keep it from

settling is to sink piles down to stable soil. Pile driving is noisy. It

creates bursts of sound in excess of 120 decibels, above the threshold of

pain.

If it is not razed until June, I doubt there is sufficient time to

finish the pile driving before school resumes in the fall. How in the

world are classes going to be held with that noise?

Other questions need to be answered. What is going to happen to the

performing arts programs that are based in Building C? Are they going to

be transferred to Huntington Beach High School? I think not. Where’s

bingo going to be held? It generates $250,000 per school year for student

activities and programs.

When some friends of mine recently inquired as to the plans for

Building C, they were told only those involved in the planning know

what’s in store. This is wrong. Let’s get it out into the bright light of

day.

BRUCE CRAWFORD

Fountain Valley