NEW GRASSROOTS GROUP HOPES TO RALLY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR A NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN TAYLOR YARDS / NORTHEAST L.A.
Friends of Central High School #13, a new grassroots group, held a demonstration on Sunday, October 28, 2007 to rally community support for a much needed new high school in the Northeast Los Angeles area. The demonstration was held at intersection of San Fernando Rd and Cazador St, in front of the proposed 23-acre site for the new high school – Taylor Yard, Parcel F.
"The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has been outreaching to, and working with, our local communities since 2001 in order to locate a much needed high school in [Northeast L.A. area]. Currently, the children from [Atwater Village, Elysian Valley], Glassell Park and Cypress Park are sent to Eagle Rock, Franklin, or Marshall High. Those 3 schools all suffer with overcrowding which would be proportionally relieved if a new high school is built at Taylor Yards."
"There were numerous community meetings to locate and identify a preferred site for the high school. Despite a few drawbacks, the only area large enough where no homes or businesses would be disturbed and which was centrally located to [serve various Northeast communities], was Parcel F in Taylor Yard."
"While LAUSD was engaged in negotiations to acquire the property, developer Richard Meruelo, [of MerueloMaddux Properties], swooped in to buy it. Currently Mr. Meruelo is trying to negotiate a diminished and compromised school" under his so called “Riversedge Village” plan that includes high density housing, retail development and the high school.
For more information about Friends of Central High School #13 and how you can help please call: 323.270.2734 or email Roberta_Trotman@hotmail.com