Two lawsuits were filed, and opponents attempted to hold a public referendum on the project, though they failed to gather enough signatures. Picketers greeted students on the first day of school, September 3, 2003. Ultimately, the school district decided against the use of the property for its middle school. A last lawsuit, brought against the city of San Juan Capistrano for changing the zoning to allow the school's construction, was dismissed later in the month, and construction went forward as planned on November 18, to be completed for 2006.