Capistrano School Trustees Opposing Airport at El Toro

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — School board officials this week directed staff to draft a resolution opposing the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station reuse plan.

After studying the plan, approved in December by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, trustees expressed concerns about the safety, noise and pollution associated with the proposed airport.

Board members raised many questions about the airport alternative and environmental impact report, including frequency of flights, air quality, safety, runway routes and noise impacts.

Currently, officials from schools in Aliso Viejo report that they must stop work when military jets fly overhead because the noise is too loud.

Even though the environmental impact report for the proposed airport said commercial aircraft are quieter, trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District were concerned that the increase in number of flights could hurt students’ learning environment.

“It does have an impact on the learning of our students,” trustee Mildred Daley Pagelow said of the proposed airport. “We’re a strong force in South County. I think we should speak up for our children.”

Trustees did not set a specific date when the resolution opposing the county-approved reuse plan will be on the board’s agenda, but the issue is expected to be addressed in the near future.