Cassandra Kellum
Staff Writer
The district constructs a fence to ensure the safety and protection of students.
After years of conversation about potential hazards, the Hermosa Valley School Board decided to build a fence around Hermosa Valley’s campus to address student safety and protect those on campus, starting construction at the beginning of the summer and finishing off mid-August.
Before the fence installation, Hermosa Valley was an open campus. The new fence surrounds almost the entire campus and is intended to keep unauthorized visitors out.
“The fence was mainly put up for safety reasons because parents and staff were concerned our campus was too open” fifth grade teacher Gretchen Vizzi said. “Based on what has been happening in the world with active shooters, the district wanted to make our campus feel secure.”
After discussing the possibility of building a fence around the campus for almost 15 years, Hermosa Beach City School District decided on June 21 to put up the fence. Hermosa Valley staff and parents support the decision to put up the fence, HVS Principal Kim Taylor said.
“Hermosa Valley staff, including myself, needed to consider that our campus would be a much safer place with the fence,” Taylor said.
The district’s two fundraising organizations, the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation and Hermosa Valley Parent Teacher Organization raised the money for the project HBCSD funded the fence through donations and fundraisers, including Hermosa Valley’s annual Halloween Carnival and donations from parents.
“It is our good fortune to have two very active and dedicated parent groups at Valley that work tirelessly to raise funds for our students,” Taylor said.
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