SCV Facilities Foundation Gives Hart District Million Dollar Check

Posted by: KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 in Santa Clarita News May 11, 2014 - 11:35 am 0 315 Views

The Governing Board of the William S. Hart Union School District received $1,000,000 from the Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation for the construction of shade structures.

The Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation presented a check in the amount of $1,000,000 to the Governing Board of the William S. Hart Union High School District at their regular meeting on May 7, 2014 for the purpose of constructing shade structures at 10 Hart District schools, according to a press release from the SCV Facilities Foundation.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

SCV Facilities Foundation Gives Hart District Million Dollar Check Construction is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of the 2014-15 school year. Also, an additional four parcels of land totaling 103 acres of real property were donated and transferred to the Hart District, according to the release.

Richard A. Patterson, president of the Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation and senior partner with Owen, Patterson & Owen, a Santa Clarita-based personal injury law firm, announced the successful completion of their endeavor.

“After 16 years of diligently working for the benefit of the students in the Hart District, the Foundation is pleased to announce that our mission has been accomplished,” Patterson said in the release. “In total, the Foundation has transferred approximately 450 acres of land to the District, which will hopefully be adequate to meet their growth needs for the next 15-20 years. The school district now has the capacity to control its own destiny.”

Related Article: SCV Facilities Foundation President Asks For Hart District Plans

The Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation, a 501(c)(3) California non-profit public benefit corporation, was founded in 1998 to provide financial assistance to the William S. Hart Union High School District in locating, acquiring, and developing new school sites, according to the release.

Using available funds held in the Foundation’s accounts, the nonprofit organization approved a request from the Hart District for the construction of much needed, modern shade structures at Golden Valley, West Ranch, Bowman, Canyon and Saugus high schools, as well as Arroyo Seco, La Mesa, Placerita and Sierra Vista junior high schools and Sequoia Charter School, according to the release.

“The Foundation has always worked to provide brick and mortar assets that are substantive additions to the school sites, and are expenditures the State does not fund,” Patterson said. “It’s a great feeling to close with shade structures for the students to enjoy.”

Governing Board President Steve Sturgeon, who also serves as a Foundation director, commended the Foundation board for their dedication and years of service.

“I don’t think everyone realizes that directors willingly serve as volunteers,” said Sturgeon. “The amount of time spent for the benefit of students over the years has been significant. On behalf of the Governing Board, I thank you for all that you have accomplished.”

Other accomplishments and needs funded by the Foundation over the past 16 years include:

Development of a 60-acre construction-ready site for Golden Valley High School.
Partnership with the City of Santa Clarita to move 10,000,000 cubic yards of dirt to construct Golden Valley Road.
Partnership with the Hart District, Boys & Girls Club and the City of Santa Clarita to develop a multi-purpose gymnasium at Sierra Vista Junior High.
Partnership with the City of Santa Clarita to develop the City’s Aquatic Center under a joint use agreement for all of the District swim programs.
Construction of the city trails system between Centre Pointe Parkway and Golden Valley High School continuing on to Sierra Highway.
Funding provided for acoustical system for West Ranch High School’s auditorium.
Donation of an additional four parcels of land, totaling 342.5 acres to the District for future school sites in Canyon Country near College of the Canyons.
Cash donation of $100,000 to the Hart District’s WiSH Education Foundation.

“We offer our thanks to all our volunteers, partners and stakeholders who worked with us to accomplish our long term goals. After working with the District through these past 16 years we are pleased that they are now strategically positioned to act independently, with all the land resources necessary to plan for and accommodate growth for future generations,” Patterson said.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.