VVUHSD Board Opposes Location of Drug/Alcohol Treatment Center Near Schools

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Victor Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution formally opposing the location of a San Bernardino County addiction treatment facility adjacent to Silverado High School and Larrea Middle School.

The county’s proposed $60 million project would be built on approximately 29 acres and include a residential and outpatient behavioral health and substance-use treatment center with more than 200 beds, expanding an existing facility that is currently located further from the schools.

The approved project includes gated residential treatment facilities, outpatient and psychiatric services, and a withdrawal management treatment facility. 

The expansion would roughly triple the size of the existing facility and bring its borders within a few hundred feet of Silverado and Larrea, and within a quarter-mile of Cobalt Institute of Math & Science. 

The three schools serve more than 4,000 combined students daily.

In Monday’s special board meeting, district officials emphasized that they do not oppose behavioral health treatment services, and they applaud the county’s efforts to provide these services in the High Desert. The resolution specifically opposes the location of the expanded facility near active school campuses.

“We are just looking out for our students and staff,” Board President Rosalio “Rosie” Hinojos said during the meeting. “Their safety is of the utmost importance. If we aren’t looking out for them, we’re not doing our job. We are not opposed to the facility itself, it’s just the location.”

All five members — Hinojos, Kent Crosby, Ken Larson, Jose Berrios and Penny Edmiston — spoke during the meeting and voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. Superintendent Carl Coles and the board members cited a lack of communication and collaboration in the site selection process, noting that many community members initially believed the property was intended for residential housing.

Coles said the district would like to set up a joint town hall meeting sometime in January.

“It would provide a great forum for more community input,” Coles said. “We would love to be able to give our students, staff and community the opportunity for meaningful dialogue with the county.”

Larrea Principal Joe Williams was joined by Larrea staff member and Silverado parent Kelly Powers in speaking out against the location during the public comment portion of the meeting, bringing up concerns about student safety, campus security, traffic impacts and emergency response access. Williams also said potential lockdowns at the facility would necessitate lockdowns at the neighboring schools, causing educational disruptions for students and staff.

San Bernardino County Assistant Executive Officer Diane Rundles also spoke, stressing the need for facilities such as this one and expressing a desire to work with the district and community to address potential issues.

The district encourages parents and community members to remain informed and engage with County leadership regarding the proposed project. 

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