Castaic High is a step or two closer to becoming a reality, after much discussion of reams of reports given to members of the Wm. S. Hart High School Governing Board Wednesday night.

An update from experts hired to do preliminary research on two favored sites for a Castaic area high school focused on traffic issues, state requirements and civil engineering studies.

Secondary access roads to both sites continue to be an issue, with more research required on existing easements and what the county will require. Accessibility for the disabled posed an issue for the Romero Canyon site if public buses cannot deliver riders to the top of the slope, while neighbors expressed displeasure at the thought of buses using their quiet cul de sacs for school access.

Possible requirements for a second bridge and county acceptance of a proposed secondary access were issues with the Hasley/Sloan site. Environmental concerns at both sites could create delays if permission is required from agencies such as the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Fish and Game.

Necessity to re-abandon an oil well on the Romero Canyon property and the cost involved were also discussed.

Full reports provided to the Governing Board are available online here by clicking on the link to the desired report.

The Governing Board was assured that it would have enough information by July to make a decision between the two proposed sites, but it was stressed that no preliminary studies will have all of the answers and the Board must be prepared to take some risks in its site selection.

The board also approved a retirement incentive program for classified employees and authorized the reduction of 40 classified positions in the district. The incentive program drew a response from 60 classified employees who will retire by July 30.

Of those 60 retirees, 20 are in positions that are being eliminated and 40 are in positions that will be replaced. Classified employees whose jobs are being eliminated will have the opportunity to apply for those positions that are being vacated by retirees.

Retirement of senior employees and eliminated of jobs is expected to save the district over $690,000 the first year, $1.8 million over three years and $3 million in five years as it continues to face budget shortfalls brought on by reduced state funding.