The Business Subcommittee of the Hart School District’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity is circulating a survey to members of the Valley Industrial Association seeking information on how well local companies are responding to the Santa Clarita Valley’s increasingly diverse employment base.

            The survey, which can be submitted anonymously or with contact information, seeks information on current diversity in the workplace, programs in place to help executives and employees deal with diversity, and opportunities for minorities to advance to higher levels of employment.

            The subcommittee hopes to identify companies which have well-established diversity programs in place and those which are seeking help in establishing such programs for their employees, according to Charlotte Forté-Parnell, the Business Subcommittee chair.

            Although the overall goal of the Ad Hoc Committee is to address discrimination or harassment in local schools, the business subcommittee reflects the Hart District’s contention that diversity is a community issue, not limited to schools.

            “Many of the people who are employed in our businesses are parents of students in our schools,” Forté-Parnell explained. “If parents learn to appreciate diversity, hopefully that attitude will be transferred to and shared with their children.”

            She added that the local business climate also has significance for minority graduates from area high schools, who need to know that they will have equal opportunities for employment and advancement when they enter the workforce.

            The Business Diversity survey can be completed online by going to http://www.hartdistrict.org/AdHoc/survey.asp or by calling Pat Willett, the Hart District’s community liaison officer, at 259-0033, extension 227, to receive the survey by fax or regular mail. Completed surveys are due to the Hart District office by May 16, 2005.