Canyon Elementary Construction Delayed; Tree Removal Considered

By Laurel Busby

News & Information Editor

Canyon Alliance Board Member Miriam Bookey has been working to track community concerns about Canyon Elementary by connecting with both community members and L.A. Unified School District officials.

In an effort to better understand community issues, she first spoke to varied neighbors while also tracking posts to Canyon message threads. She then relayed those concerns and questions to LAUSD and Principal Nicole Sheard, Bookey said. This week, she received an LAUSD update about construction, enrollment, potential tree removal, and other concerns at the school.

In terms of the ongoing construction, the construction of the new building is slightly behind with an anticipated move-in date of fall 2026, according to LAUSD representative Linda Delgado. Future construction projects, which will provide playground enhancements and parking lot improvements, are slated for 2027. Currently, the school’s focus is on interior work on the electrical system, plumbing, and elevator, while LADWP’s work at the school has been completed.

“There is a lot of building construction activity related to indoor electrical, plumbing, and elevator assembly,” Delgado said in an email. “Safety assessments have also taken place to ensure that construction continues to be safe for workers, as well as the students and school staff.”

In terms of school enrollment, there will be no growth, so the school will continue at under 400 students, according to Sheard.

“We will not be increasing enrollment,” Sheard said in an email discussion with Bookey and other interested community members. “We are replacing nine very old bungalow classrooms with nine new state-of-the-art classrooms. The enrollment will not increase from the pre-fire enrollment. We will not be gaining additional seats and will always remain under 400 students.”

Bookey shared that she has heard members of the community express concerns about the visual impact of an anticipated eucalyptus tree removal, and LAUSD is working to provide a detailed plan with potential new tree species and sizes this week.

“While many oppose the removal of the four large trees on the northwest side, some residents have noted they may be a fire hazard [and] invasive,” Bookey said. “We need to facilitate a balanced discussion on this…. We are currently pushing for increased planting density, more mature trees, and additional street tree cutouts on Amalfi, Entrada, and East Channel.”

Bookey is working with LAUSD to schedule a community meeting to discuss landscaping, traffic, and parking in March or April that will include school officials, neighbors, and representatives from Councilmember Traci Park’s office.