The new gymnasium under construction at the Porter Ranch Community School will include bleachers provided through a joint use agreement funded by Porter Ranch Development Company. Photo by Wendy L. Moore for the PRNC.

Porter Ranch Community School is the official name of the new school to open in Porter Ranch Fall 2012. The school is under construction at the corner of Mason and Sesnon. It is planned to serve about 1,050 K-8 students. The PRNC asked stakeholders to suggest names. Based on stakeholder comments the PRNC asked that the LAUSD school board choose a name which included the words Porter Ranch. PRNC Board members felt strongly that the school should focus on serving the needs of students in Porter Ranch and liked the Porter Ranch Community School name that was suggested by many stakeholders. The design of the school through the unique partnership of LAUSD, City Council Office, PRNC and developer Porter Ranch Development Company is held up as a model of community participation in school design.

Middle school building and multi-purpose room under construction at the Porter Ranch Community School. Photo by Wendy L. Moore for the PRNC.

At the April 4, 2011 meeting the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council voted to invest significant funds in community improvements. The PRNC supported the Porter Ranch branch of the Los Angeles Public Library with $10,000 worth of chairs. This is the first significant contribution the Council has made to the local library. Also, the PRNC approved up to $8,000 in document readers and projectors for teacher use at Castlebay Lane Elementary. Lastly, the PRNC approved $5,000 to be combined with funds from other neighborhood councils to equip the Force Option Simulator at the LAPD Devonshire station. An LAPD training officer was on hand to explain that the simulator would be used for ongoing training of the 250 officers at the Devonshire Station. The simulator helps officers practice which type of force would be most effective in particular scenarios.

At the May 3, 2011 meeting, there will be a presentation of the Oakridge Estate Park Advisory Board about the Oakridge Estate, which is located on Devonshire St., just West of Reseda Blvd. It is a 9.5 acre property with an English Tudor style house designed in 1937 by noted architect Paul R. Williams for actress Barbara Stanwyck. The Advisory Board will provide PRNC stakeholders more information about the property and the preservation plans.

Join us on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 6pm, at Shepherd of the Hills Church.

This article also appeared in the May 2011Valley Voice