The following editorial is strictly the opinion of the writers and is not a product of the KHTS AM 1220 news department or management.

Castaic High School by 2013: Romero Canyon Can Make it Happen

By Tim Whyte

For a decade, a new high school in Castaic has been the No. 1 construction priority of the William S. Hart Union High School District.

And now, the waiting may soon be over.

The Hart District governing board has narrowed the field of potential sites to two, has spent several hundred thousand dollars to study those two sites, and is on the verge of making a decision that can benefit the entire Santa Clarita Valley — and, in particular, the close-knit community of Castaic — for decades to come.

The Romero Canyon site, offered for sale by Larry Rasmussen’s Romero Canyon LLC, emerges as the right site, in the right place, at the right time, for the right reasons.

By choosing the site that can facilitate construction of the high school in time for the 2013-2014 school year, the Hart District can at last fulfill the promises of the past decade, and demonstrate that the funds from the voter-approved, $300-million bond measure, Measure SA of 2008, will be spent as the voters intended: to build the much-needed Castaic school facilities.

The Romero Canyon site gives the Hart District its best opportunity to not only meet its goal of opening the new school in 2013, but also to do something great for the community. Once built, the new high school will become a valuable venue for the Hart District to provide students a great education, as well as a source of tremendous community pride.

The Romero site’s advantages span numerous issues, including items like the environment, access, suitability, location, site size and, perhaps most significantly in this situation, timing and site readiness.

But to get it done by 2013, it is imperative that the Hart District act quickly. Unless action is taken soon to pursue the one site that can be ready for construction in 18 months, the promise to open the school by 2013 will meet the same failure as past efforts have.

It is a tremendous opportunity.

When the Hart District governing board meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at Golden Valley High School, it has a chance to achieve one of the district’s longest-running goals: The construction of a community centerpiece, a rallying point, a gathering place for learning and community spirit alike — the long-awaited Castaic High School.

For more information, visit: www.castaichighschoolnow.com

How You Can Help

You can attend the public meeting regarding the site selection, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway. And, you can e-mail your elected Hart District Governing Board members to let them know how important it is to meet the goal of opening Castaic High School by 2013. Board member e-mail addresses are available at: www.hart.k12.ca.us