CHS closed campus to affect local vendors

Starting next school year, Calexico High School will no longer have an open campus during lunch.

The Calexico School Board approved the decision Thursday and it’s a move local businesses are not happy about.

Local vendors who sold food to students during lunch said the closure will dramatically affect their business.

“It’s a strange feeling,” said Louis Wong, Yum Yum restaurant owner in Calexico .

Wong’s restaurant has been open in Calexico for thirty years. He said in the past years, business in Calexico has decreased, but he’s had success selling to CHS students during lunch.

Wong was disappointed to hear about the high school’s proposal but understands why they chose to go in that direction.

“I hope the district will look at the whole situation and find a solution that still lets us serve the students,” said Wong.

Wong added a large portion of his profits came from students. He’s also invested thousands in city permits, supplies, and equipment for his food truck. His food truck alone was $20,000.

” If there is no solution I will focus on my restaurant, I will come up with different ideas to promote my business. If there’s no demand for me to offer my service over there, then we will back off, I’m a survivor, ” Wong said.

Wong is one of ten vendors who sell food outside of CHS during lunch, and he mentioned he is willing to work with the school district for a solution.

Calexico High School’s principal, Gabrielle Williams, presented the closed campus proposal to the board.

The proposal came a month after several CHS students engaged in a massive brawl off campus during lunchtime, where at least five students were arrested.

Williams said after the fight, she received calls from parents that wanted the campus closed for lunch.

Williams emphasized that students ditching class after lunch, played a big role in the decision as well as safety.

The Calexico Police Department says they fully support the high school’s decision.

” For the purposes of public safety, and student safety, we will back them up with this decision of having a closed campus. We don’t have the manpower to be watching these kids at all times, ” said Gonzalo C. Gerardo, Calexico Police Chief.

Chief Gerardo says they receive daily complaints about students damaging property, littering, running across Highway 98, and even students performing sexual acts during lunchtime.

As for the food trucks selling food during lunch, Gerardo says that’s an agreement local vendors will have to make with the school.

13 On Your Side reached out to Ms. Williams for comment and are still waiting to hear back.